A chemist decomposes samples of several compounds; the masses of their constituent elements are listed. Calculate the empirical formula for each compound. b. 2.677 g Ba, 3.115 g Br
Ch.3 - Molecules, Compounds & Chemical Equations
Chapter 3, Problem 90b
Calculate the empirical formula for each natural flavor based on its elemental mass percent composition. b. vanillin (responsible for the taste and smell of vanilla): C 63.15%, H 5.30%, O 31.55%
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Empirical Formula
The empirical formula represents the simplest whole-number ratio of the elements in a compound. It is derived from the percentage composition of each element, allowing chemists to understand the basic composition of a substance without detailing the actual number of atoms in a molecule.
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Mass Percent Composition
Mass percent composition indicates the percentage by mass of each element in a compound. It is calculated by dividing the mass of each element by the total mass of the compound and multiplying by 100. This information is crucial for determining the empirical formula from the given elemental percentages.
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Mole Concept
The mole concept is a fundamental principle in chemistry that relates the mass of a substance to the number of particles it contains. One mole of any substance contains Avogadro's number (approximately 6.022 x 10^23) of entities, allowing for conversions between mass and moles, which is essential for calculating empirical formulas from mass percent data.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
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Textbook Question
A chemist decomposes samples of several compounds; the masses of their constituent elements are listed. Calculate the empirical formula for each compound. c. 2.128 g Be, 7.557 g S, 15.107 g O
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Textbook Question
Calculate the empirical formula for each natural flavor based on its elemental mass percent composition. a. methyl butyrate (component of apple taste and smell): C 58.80%, H 9.87%, O 31.33%
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Textbook Question
The elemental mass percent composition of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is 40.92% C, 4.58% H, and 54.50% O. Determine the empirical formula of ascorbic acid.
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Open Question
What is the empirical formula of nitrogen chloride given that a 0.77 mg sample of nitrogen reacts with chlorine to form 6.61 mg of the chloride?
Textbook Question
A 45.2-mg sample of phosphorus reacts with selenium to form 131.6 mg of the selenide. Determine the empirical formula of phosphorus selenide.
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