What is the empirical formula of the unknown compound? CHO

An unknown compound contains only C, H, and O. Combustion of 7.70 g of this compound produced 18.8 g of CO2 and 7.69 g of H2O.

Question

What is the empirical formula of the unknown compound? CHO

An unknown compound contains only C, H, and O. Combustion of 7.70 g of this compound produced 18.8 g of CO2 and 7.69 g of H2O.

aaronq · Answer

Find the moles of each element from the data of the compounds 

Divide the moles of each atom (individually) by the one with least moles, this is called normalization.

Now multiply them all by the same constant/coefficient to get them up to whole ratios