Chemical Forums

Chemistry Forums for Students => High School Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: HotDwag on June 07, 2021, 07:45:27 AM

Title: Empirical Formular
Post by: HotDwag on June 07, 2021, 07:45:27 AM

An organic substance contains three elements: carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen. The mass ratio of carbon to hydrogen is
 4 : 1, and the mass percentage of nitrogen is 24%. Find the emperical formula of the organic substance.

Title: Re: Empirical Formular
Post by: HotDwag on June 07, 2021, 08:53:49 AM

Apologies about the typo, it is should be "The mass of carbon and nitrogen is 4 : 1"

Title: Re: Empirical Formular
Post by: Corribus on June 07, 2021, 08:54:28 AM

You have to show your work to receive help. This is a forum policy.

If you are stuck, consider that the empirical formula reflects the mole ratio. How do you convert between mass ratio and mole ratio?

Title: Re: Empirical Formular
Post by: mjc123 on June 07, 2021, 03:43:52 PM

Quote

Apologies about the typo, it is should be "The mass of carbon and nitrogen is 4 : 1"

That is impossible. If N is 24%, C must be 96%! Was it right the first time? I can get a sensible answer for that.