Question

Combustion of 0.1996 g of a compound containing only C, H, Si, and O yields 0.4253 g of CO2, 0.1994 g of H2O and 0.0831 g of SiO2. What is the empirical formula of the compound?

Answer 1

You can determine the individual molar weights by finding the elements weight in the products (Carbon is only present in CO2 and therefore represents the total contribution of the Carbon by the reactants, Si is in SiO3, and O2 is contributed into both products, but is also present again on the reactants side due to combustion) Once youve determined the molar weights of each part, divide each by the lowest value to get the total lowest molar ratio, then adjust it (if need be) to whole number, which will be your empirical formula.

Answer 2

how do i do that for the oxygen??