Question

Caproic acid, which is responsible for the foul odor of dirty socks, is composed of Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen atoms. A sample taken from a pair of abandon socks found in the locker room after a football game yielded 0.0930g of Carbon, 0.0156g of Hydrogen, and 0.0413g of Oxygen. Eww. They must have been worn more than once before being washed. Find the EMPIRICAL formula of caproic acid.

Answer 1

The empirical formula of Caproic acid is
`C_(3)H_(6)O_(1)`

Step-by-step explanation:

Empirical formula : It is the simplest whole number ratio of atoms present in the compound.

For e.g the empirical formula for glucose
`C_(6)H_(12)O_(6)` is
`CH_(2)O`

Actual Caproic acid is Hexanoic acid
`C_(6)H_(12)O_(2)`

Formula Used :

`Moles = (given\ mass)/(Molar\ mass)`

How to solve the problem:(See the attached Image)

1. Calculate the number of moles of C,H and O
2. Calculate the ratio by dividing with the smallest number (0.00258 mole)
3. Convert the ratio into simple whole number
4. Attach the number to the respective elements