The elemental mass percent composition of succinic acid is 40.68% C, 5.12% H, and 54.19% O. Determine the empirical formula of succinic acid. Express your answer as a chemical formula.

C₂H₃O₂

Explanation:

To determine the empirical formula of succinic acid, we need to follow a series of steps.

Step 1: Divide each mass percent by the atomic mass of the element

C: 40.68/12.01 = 3.39

H: 5.12/1.01 = 5.07

O: 54.19/16.00 = 3.39

Step 2: Divide all the numbers by the smallest one, i.e. 3.39

C: 3.39/3.39 = 1

H: 5.07/3.39 ≈ 1.5

O: 3.39/3.39 = 1

Step 3: Multiply all the numbers by a factor that makes them all integers, i.e.  2

C: 1 × 2 = 2

H: 1.5 × 2 = 3

O: 1 × 2 = 2

The empirical formula of succinic acid is C₂H₃O₂.

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