Percent Composition and Empirical Formula

ChemistryMs. Piela

A. Percent Composition: the percentage by mass of each element in a compound

1. Looking at the formula for FeO, we might assume the percent compositions of both elements to be 50%. However, because the percent is based on mass, the percent of Fe is 77.7% and oxygen is 22.3% (Oxygen weighs less)

B. Examples:1. Determine the percent composition of the

elements in the following compounds:A) H2O

B) C6H12O6

C) Ba(NO3)2

C. Practice: A) HF

B) NH3

II. Determining Empirical Formulas from Percent CompositionA. Empirical Formulas – a chemical formula

that shows the composition of a compound in terms of the simplest ratio.

B. Steps1. Convert mass percentage of each element to

grams2. Convert grams to moles using molar mass3. Compare amounts of moles to find the

simplest whole-number ratios

Rhyme Time

Percent to massMass to moles

Divide by smallestMultiply until whole

C. Examples:Calculate the empirical formula of each of the

following substances:57.14 % C, 6.16% H, 9.52% N, 27.18% O

C. Examples48.0% C, 8.0% H, 28.0% N, 16.0% O

D. PracticeCalculate the empirical formula of each of the

following substances:1. A compound is 38.77% Cl and 61.23% O.

D. Practice2. Magnetic iron oxide is 72.4% iron and

27.6% oxygen.

D. Practice3. A liquid compound is 18.0% C, 2.26% H,

and 79.7% Cl.