Question

An organic compound contains carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Its elemental analysis gave $C=38.71\%$ and $H,9.67\%$ and $O=51.62\%$. The empirical formula of the compound would be:

• A. $CHO$
• B. $C{H}_{4}O$
• C. $C{H}_{3}O$
• D. $C{H}_{2}O$

Answer 1

The correct option is C $C{H}_{3}O$

The empirical formula is calculated as:

$C=\frac{38.71}{12}$

= 3.22

= $\frac{3.22}{3.22}$

= 1
$H=\frac{9.67}{1}$

=9.67

$=\frac{9.67}{3.22}$

=3
$O=\frac{51.62}{16}$

=3.22

= $\frac{3.22}{3.22}$

= 1

Therefore the organic compound contains 1 molecule of Carbon, 3 molecules of Hydrogen and 1 molecule of Oxygen. So, Empirical formula is $C{H}_{3}O$.

Thus, option C is correct.