Empirical Formula

The simplest whole number ration of

elements present in one molecule or formula
unit of the compound.

The empirical formula can be found by

determining the mass of each element
present in a sample of the compound. For
some compounds this can be done through
combustion.

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Molecular Formula

• The molecular formula shows the actual

number of each of the different atoms
present in a molecule.

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 Combustion analysis apparatus

• To absorb water : anhydrous cobalt chloride / concentrated H2SO4

• To absorb CO2 : alkaline solutions e.g. aq NaOH

Note: CO2 is an acidic oxide

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Combustion Analysis

Example 1:
Complete combustion of an unknown organic compound of mass
1.000g containing only carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, gave 1.500g of
carbon dioxide and 0.405g of water.
What is the empirical formula of the organic compound?
Using mass proportion:
MC
Mass of C in 1.500g CO2 = x mCO2
MCO2
12.0
= x 1.500 = 0.409 g
44.0

In 44g of CO2 , there is 12g of C ; In 1.5g of CO2 , there is ? of C

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Combustion Analysis

Example 1:
Complete combustion of an unknown organic compound of mass
1.000g containing only carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, gave 1.500g of
carbon dioxide and 0.405g of water.
What is the empirical formula of the organic compound?

2 x MH
Mass of H in 0.405g H2O = x mH2O
MH2O
2 x 1.0
= x 0.405 = 0.045 g
18.0

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Combustion Analysis

CXHYOZ + ? O2  ? CO2 + ? H2O

By conservation of atoms/mass,
C in CO2 comes from C in compound
H in H2O comes from H in compound
Mass of C + mass of H + mass of O = mass of compound
0.409 g + 0.045 g + mass of O = 1.00g
Mass of oxygen in the compound = 1.000 – 0.409 – 0.045
= 0.546 g

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 Combustion Analysis
C H O
Mass ratio 0.409 0.045 0.546
Mole ratio 0.40912.0 0.0451.0 0.54616.0
= 0.0341 = 0.045 = 0.0341
Simplest 0.03410.0341 0.0450.0341 0.03410.0341
whole
number =1 = 1.320 =1
ratio 3 4 3

Compound’s empirical formula is C3H4O3

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Gas volumes and stoichiometry

Please refer pg 67 Textbook

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