Question

an analysis of a sugar compound is found to contain 216 grams of carbon (c), 36 grams of hydrogen (h), and 288 grams of oxygen (o). determine the empirical formula of the compound.

Answer 1

216g C       36g H     288g O

                   1 mol C
216 g C x  --------------  =  18 mol C
                  12.01 g C


                 1 mol H
36 g H  x  -----------  =  35.64 --> 36 mol H
                 1.008 g H


                   1 mol O
288 g O  x  ------------  =  18 mol O
                   16.0 g O

 C18H36O18 ---->(simply to lowest ration)--->  CH2O