1. Convert Mass to Moles
* Carbon: (1.1610 g C) / (12.011 g/mol C) = 0.09666 mol C
* Hydrogen: (0.29240 g H) / (1.008 g/mol H) = 0.2900 mol H
* Oxygen: (1.5455 g O) / (15.9994 g/mol O) = 0.09659 mol O
2. Find the Simplest Mole Ratio
Divide each mole value by the smallest mole value (0.09659 mol O in this case):
* Carbon: 0.09666 mol C / 0.09659 mol O ≈ 1
* Hydrogen: 0.2900 mol H / 0.09659 mol O ≈ 3
* Oxygen: 0.09659 mol O / 0.09659 mol O ≈ 1
3. Write the Empirical Formula
The empirical formula represents the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms in the compound. Based on the mole ratios, the empirical formula is CH₃O.
