Determine the empirical formula for succinic acid that is composed of 40.60% carbon, 5.18% hydrogen, and 54.22% oxygen.

C₂H₂O₃

Explanation:

The empirical formula of a compound is derived bu finding the whole ratios of the constituent elements.

In succinic acid, the ratios of carbon to hydrogen to oxygen is calculated as follows:

% mass

Carbon- 40.60

Hydrogen - 5.18

Oxygen - 54.22

RAM

Carbon -12

Oxygen - 15.994

Hydrogen -1.008

No of moles elements in the compound

Carbon = 40.60/12=3.3833

Oxygen = 54.22/15.994= 3.39

Hydrogen= 5.18/1.008 = 5.1389

Mole ratios of the individual elements we divide by the smallest value of the number of moles.

Carbon: Hydrogen : Oxygen

3.3833/3.3833:3.39/3.3833:5.1389/3.3833

=1:1:1.5

We can multiply the value by 2 to get the whole number ratio.

=2:2:3

The empirical formula will be:

C₂H₂O₃

chemical digestion occurs in the stomach were hcl and pepsin forms chyme, the mouth in which salivary amylase breaks down starch to form bolus, and the small intestine specifically the duodenum.