Acompound is found to be 20 percent carbon, 1 percent hydrogen, and 12 percent nitrogen, with the rest being oxygen. what is the empirical formula of this compound?
a. cho
b. c4h6o10
c. c2hno5
d. cannot determine from the information provided

C.

Explanation:

If percentage are given then we are taking total mass is 100 grams.

So, the mass of each element is equal to the percentage given.

Mass of C = 20 g

Mass of H= 1 g

Mass of N= 12 g

Mass of oxygen = 100-(20+1+12)= 67 g

Step 1 : convert given masses into moles.

Moles of C =

Moles of H =

Moles of N =

Moles of O =

Step 2 : For the mole ratio, divide each value of moles by the smallest number of moles calculated.

For C =

For H =

For N =

For O =

The ratio of C : H : N : O= 2 : 1 : 1 : 5

Hence the empirical formula is

c

explanation: