1. Assume a 100-gram Sample:
* This makes the calculations easier, as the percentages directly translate to grams.
* 85.7 grams of carbon (C)
* 14.3 grams of hydrogen (H)
2. Convert Grams to Moles:
* Divide each element's mass by its molar mass:
* Carbon: 85.7 g / 12.01 g/mol = 7.14 mol
* Hydrogen: 14.3 g / 1.01 g/mol = 14.16 mol
3. Find the Simplest Whole Number Ratio:
* Divide each mole value by the smallest mole value (7.14 mol in this case):
* Carbon: 7.14 mol / 7.14 mol = 1
* Hydrogen: 14.16 mol / 7.14 mol = 2
4. Write the Empirical Formula:
* The empirical formula is the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms in a compound.
* The empirical formula of this hydrocarbon is CH₂.
