Question

Calculate the empirical formula for each of the following natural flavors based on their elemental mass percent composition.

nitroglycerin (used medically as a vasodilator to treat heart conditions): C 15.87% H 2.22% N 18.50% O 63.41%.

Express your answer as a chemical formula.

Answer 1

Take 100 g sample which will give you
15.87 g C
2.22 g H
18.5 g N
63.41 g O

Now convert each to moles, then find the ratio of the elements to each others with the smallest being 1. The easiest way is to divide the smallest number by itself. Divide all the other values by the same small number. Round to a whole number but don't found more than about 0.2 or so. If one of the numbers is too far away from a whole number to round, find a multiplier that will make it a whole number, then multiply all of the other "round" numbers by the same multiplier. Post your work if you get stuck.

Answer 2

CH2NO3

Answer 3

Its C3H5N3O9 because you have to multiply the 1.6 by 3 to get a number close enough to a whole number