Molecular Empirical Formula

To find the empirical formula, we first assume a 100 gm sample. Thus, the percentages become grams: - Carbon: 38.71 gm - Hydrogen: 9.67 gm - Oxygen: 100 - 38.71 - 9.67 = 51.62 gm Now, we divide the grams of each element by their atomic mass: - Carbon: - Hydrogen: - Oxygen: The simplest whole number ratio is approximately 1:2:1, which gives the empirical formula .