A compound is found to contain 11.21 % hydrogen and 88.79 % oxygen by mass. What is the empirical formula for this compound?

H₂O

Explanation:

The empirical formular of the compound is obtained using the following steps;

Step 1: Divide the percentage composition by the atomic mass

Hydrogen = 11.21 / 1 = 11.21

Oxygen = 88.79  / 16 = 5.55

Step 2: Divide by the lowest number

Hydrogen  = 11.21 / 5.55 = 2.02 ≈ 2

Oxygen = 5.55 / 5.55 = 1

This means the ratio of the elements is 2 : 1

The empirical formular (simplest formular of a compound) of the compound is;

H₂O