A compound is found to contain 11.21 % hydrogen and 88.79 % oxygen by mass. What is the empirical formula for this compound?

H₂O

Explanation:

The empirical formular of the compound is obtained using the following steps;

Step 1: Divide the percentage composition by the atomic mass

Hydrogen = 11.21 / 1 = 11.21

Oxygen = 88.79  / 16 = 5.55

Step 2: Divide by the lowest number

Hydrogen  = 11.21 / 5.55 = 2.02 ≈ 2

Oxygen = 5.55 / 5.55 = 1

This means the ratio of the elements is 2 : 1

The empirical formular (simplest formular of a compound) of the compound is;

H₂O

you need to take a look at the periodic system in order to sort these elements into pairs that would most likely exhibit similar chemical properties. first, you need to find elements that are found in the same group (groups are vertical in the periodic system), and then to see whether they have the same valence number. if they meet these criteria, they will have similar properties.

the first pair: ne (neon) and kr (krypton), are noble gases found in group 8

the second pair: li (lithium) and k (potassium), found in group 1

the third pair: s (sulfur) and te (tellurium), found in group 6

oxygen, selenium, tellurium, and polonium.

they're all from the same group as sulfur (group 16).