a compound contains only carbon hydrogen and oxygen analysis of a sample showed that it contained by mass 53.4% carbon and 11.1% hydrogen . what is the simplest formula for this compound .. step by step plese

Answer 1

%O = 100 - %C - %H

Take a 100 g sample which gives
53.4g C
11.1g H
35.5g O

mols C = 53.4/12 = ?
mols H = 11.1/1 = ?
mols O = 35.5/16 = ?

Now find the ratio of the atoms to each other (as whole numbers) with the smallest number being 1.00. The easy way to do that is to divide the smallest number above by itself, then divide the other numbers by the same small number. Round to whole numbers.

Answer 2

C2h4o