The simplest formula is C₅H₁₀O.
We must calculate the masses of C, H, and O from the masses given.
Mass of C =5.63 g CO₂ × (12.01 g C/44.01 g CO₂) = 1.536 g C
Mass of H = 2.30 g H₂O × (2.016 g H/18.02 g H₂O) = 0.2573 g H
Mass of O = Mass of compound - Mass of C - Mass of H
= (2.20 – 1.536 – 0.2573) g = 0.406 g
Now, we must convert these masses to moles and find their ratios.
From here on, I like to summarize the calculations in a table.
Element Mass/g Moles Ratio Integers
C 1.536 0.1279 5.038 5
H 0.2573 0.2553 10.05 10
O 0.406 0.0254 1 1
The empirical formula is C₅H₁₀O.
