Answer:
C₃H₄O₄
Explanation:
In order to get the empirical formula of a compound, we have to follow a series of steps.
Step 1: Divide the percent by mass of each element by its atomic mass.
C: 34.6/12.01 = 2.88
H: 3.9/1.01 = 3.86
O: 61.5/16.00 = 3.84
Step 2: Divide all the numbers by the smallest one, i.e., 2.88
C: 2.88/2.88 = 1
H: 3.86/2.88 ≈ 1.34
O: 3.84/2.88 ≈ 1.33
Step 3: Multiply all the numbers by a number that makes all of them integer
C: 1 × 3 = 3
H: 1.34 × 3 = 4
O: 1.33 × 3 = 4
The empirical formula is C₃H₄O₄.
