The document provides examples of calculating empirical formulas from elemental composition data, including finding the empirical formula of a compound containing nitrogen and oxygen, and another containing sodium, chromium and oxygen. It also discusses obtaining the molecular formula from the empirical formula and molar mass, working through an example involving
The document provides examples of calculating empirical formulas from elemental composition data, including finding the empirical formula of a compound containing nitrogen and oxygen, and another containing sodium, chromium and oxygen. It also discusses obtaining the molecular formula from the empirical formula and molar mass, working through an example involving
The document provides examples of calculating empirical formulas from elemental composition data, including finding the empirical formula of a compound containing nitrogen and oxygen, and another containing sodium, chromium and oxygen. It also discusses obtaining the molecular formula from the empirical formula and molar mass, working through an example involving
The document provides examples of calculating empirical formulas from elemental composition data, including finding the empirical formula of a compound containing nitrogen and oxygen, and another containing sodium, chromium and oxygen. It also discusses obtaining the molecular formula from the empirical formula and molar mass, working through an example involving
The EF of a compound is the formula that shows the simplest ratio in which elements in 1 molecule of the compound combine. On the other hand, the MF expresses the actual number of atoms of each element present in 1 molecule of a compound. Thus, in terms of composition by mass: (EF)n = MF i.e. n = MF/EF Where n = 1, 2, 3, … For example, in the table below, it can be seen that it is possible for two entirely different compounds to have the same percentage composition by wt e.g C 2H2 and C 6H6 both have 92.3%C and 7.7% H respectively. Compound EF MF n
Acetylene (Ethyne) CH C2H2 2
Benzene CH C6H6 6
Glucose CH2O C6H12O6 6
But-l-ene CH2 C4H8 4
Ethane-1,2-diol CH3O C2H6O2 2
Example 1 1.587 g of a compound of nitrogen and oxygen is analyzed and found to contain 0.483 g N and 1.104g O. What is the EF of the compound? [N = 14; O = 16]
Solution
N O
Mass (g) 0.483 1.104
Moles 0.483/14 = 0.0345 1.104/16 = 0.069
Ratio 0.0345/0.0345 = 1 0.069/0.0345 = 2
:- EF = NO2 Example 2 A compound on analysis was found to contain 17.5% Na, 39.7% Cr and 42.8% O. what is the empirical formula of this compound? [O = 16; Na = 23; Cr = 52]
Solution:
Na Cr O
%Composition 17.5 39.7 42.8
No. of moles 17.5/23=0.761 39.7/52=0.763 42.8/16=2.68
Ratio 0.761/0.761=1 0.763/0.763=1 2.68/0.763=3.5
=1 =1 = 7/2 =2 =2 =7
Thus, the EF = Na2Cr2O7.
Note: Sodium dichromate, Na2Cr2O7, is ionic; so it has no molecular formula.
Exercise (1) Benzoic acid is a white crystalline powder used as a food preservative. The compound contains 68.8% C, 5.0% H and 26.2% O by mass. What is its empirical formula?
(2) On analysis, an ammonium salt of an alkanoic acid gave 60.5% C and 6.5% H. If 0.309 g of the salt yield 0.0313 g of nitrogen, determine the empirical formula of the salt. [H = 1, C = 12, N = 14, O = 16] Obtaining MF from EF
Example An organic compound on analysis was found to contain only C, H and O. A 4.24-mg sample of it was completely subjected to combustion analysis and gave 6.21mg of CO2 and 2.56 mg of H2O. What is the mass percentage of each element in the compound? What is the molecular formula of this compound given that is molar mass is 60.00 amu? [H = 1, C = 12, O =16]
Solution: 44 mg CO2 ≡ 2 mg C :- 6.21 mg CO2 = (12/44) x 6.21 mg = 1.69 mg C Also, 18 mg H2O ≡ 2 mg H :- 2.56 mg H2O = (2/18) x 2.56 mg = 0.284 mg H So, %H = (0.284/4.24) x 100 = 6.7% H. Hence, mass % O = 100 – (39.9 + 6.7) = 100.0 – 46.6 = 53.4% Now,
C H O
%Composition 39.9 6.7 53.4
Amount 39.9/12 = 3.33 6.7/1 = 6.70 53.4/16 = 3.34 Ratio 3.33/3.33 = 1 6.7/3.33 = 2 3.34/ 3.33 = 1 Hence, the EF = CH2O But (EF2)n = MF i.e. (CH2O)n = 60 i.e. (30)n = 60 :- n = 2. Hence, MF = (CH2O)2 = C2H4O2 1) Exercise 1) Menthol. The substance that gives odour to mentholated cough syrups, is composed of C, H, and O. A 0.1005-g sample of it is subjected to combustion analysis upon which 0.2829 g of CO2 and 0.1159 g H2O are produced. If the molar mass of menthol is 156 g, what are its EF and MF? [H = 1, C = 12, O = 16]
2) 10.0 g of hydrated calcium sulphate, CaSO4.xH2O, weighs 7.90 g after being heated to a constant mass. Calculate the value of water of crystallization in the hydrated salt. [H = 1, O = 16, S = 32, Ca = 40]
3) 0.07g of a given hydrocarbon occupies 56.0 cm3at s.t.p. when vaporized. What is the formula of the hydrocarbon given that it contains 14.29%H by mass? [H = 1, C = 12]
