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

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