Question

a compound is composed of 24.27% carbon, 4.08% hydrogen, and 71.65% chlorine. the compound has a molar mass of 98.96%g. what is the empirical formula of the compound?

Answer 1

Given mass: 98.96; 24.27% C, 4.08% H, 71.65% Cl.

a) Take 24.27% of 98.96 (Gives you mass (g) of Carbon)
b) Take 4.08% of 98.96 (Gives you mass (g) of Hydrogen)
c) Take 71.65% of 98.96 (Gives you mass (g) of Chlorine)

d) Take mass of Carbon and divide by total mass.
e) Take mass of Hydrogen and divide by total mass.
f) Take mass of Chlorine and divide by total mass.

d, e, and f are ratios. If these are close enough to a whole number (1, 2, 3, etc.) then they become subscripts of the empirical formula (CxHxClx)

If they are something like 1.5 or 2.3 you'll have to multiply all of them by some whole number to rationalize the ratio.