A compound consisting of b, n, and h undergoes elemental analysis. the % composition by mass is found to be 40.28% b, 52.20% n, and 7.53% h. what is the empirical formula for this molecule? enter in the empirical formula in the form bxnyhz.
To compute for the empirical formula, assume there is 100 grams of the compound. That means there is 40.28 g B, 52.2 g N and 7.53 g H. Convert the mass into moles using their molar masses:
40.28 g B * 1 mol/10.811 g = 3.725835 mol B 52.2 g N * 1 mol/14 g = 3.72857 mol N 7.53 g H * 1 mol/1 g = 7.53 mol H
Divide all the moles by the smallest amount which is 3.725835 mol.