Question

Bromoform is 94.85% bromine, 0.40% hydrogen, and
4.75% carbon by mass. Determine its empirical formula.

Answer 1

@thomaster

Answer 2

@wolf1728

Answer 3

I think something might be wrong with the percentages.
We have a substance with a mass by percentage of
94.85% bromine, 0.40% hydrogen, and 4.75% carbon
Each of these elements has an atomic mass of
Element Atomic Mass
Bromine 79.90
Hydrogen 1.01
Carbon 12.01

The formula for bromoform is
C H Br3
If we determine the mass from the atomic mass then
3 Br atoms = 239.7
1 H atom = 1.01
1 C atom = 12.01

By percentage this works out to:
Br 94.85 %
H .004 %
C .0475 %

Note that the actual mass percentages listed above (for hydrogen and carbon) are 100 times smaller than what is stated in the problem
H .4% and C 4.75%

So, I'd say the problem is stated incorrectly.

Answer 4

wau i did Not expect that . ..

Answer 5

wolf could you verify my work on my math question

Answer 6

Wait I just recalculated.
I was wrong
I was confusing percentages with factors.
0.0475229503 does equal 4.7522950301 per cent

Answer 7

REVISED CALCULATIONS

We have a substance with a mass by percentage of 94.85% bromine, 0.40% hydrogen, and 4.75% carbon
Each of these elements has an atomic mass of
Element Atomic Mass
Bromine 79.90
Hydrogen 1.01
Carbon 12.01
The formula for bromoform is C H Br3

If we determine the mass from the atomic mass then
3 Br atoms = 239.7
1 H atom = 1.01
1 C atom = 12.01

By percentage this works out to:
Br 94.85 % H
0.3996517885 % C
4.7522950301 %

Answer 8

Oh i was taking a lecture sorry, but thanks a lot