Vitamin c is known chemically by the name ascorbic acid determine the empirical formula of ascorbic acid if it is composed of 40.92% carbon, 4.58% hydrogen, and 54.50% oxygen.

Explanation:

When percentage composition is given, and asked for the empirical formula, it is simplest to  assume 100 g of material. Thus,

Mass C = 40.92 g.  Moles C = 40.92 g x 1 mole/12 g = 3.41 moles C

Mass H = 4.58 g.  Moles H = 4.58 g x 1 mole/1.0 g = 4.58 moles H

Mass O = 54.50 g.  Moles O = 54.50 g x 1 mole/16 g = 3.41 moles O

Now, we want to get the moles into whole numbers, so we begin by dividing all by the smallest, i.e. divide all values by 3.41.

Moles C = 3.41/3.41 = 1

Moles H = 4.58/3.41 = 1.34

Moles O = 3.41/3.41 = 1

Now, in order to get 1.34 to be a whole number we multiply it (and all others) by 3

Moles C = 1x3 = 3

Moles H = 1.34x3 = 4

Moles O = 1x3 = 3

Empirical Formula

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