Skip to main content
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%

Verified Solution

Video duration:
2m
This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.
Was this helpful?

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.
Recommended video:
Guided course
02:26
Empirical vs Molecular Formula

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.
Recommended video:
Guided course
00:38
Mass Percent Calculation

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.
Recommended video: