What is the emperical formula of a compound containing 40.1% carbon and 6.6% hydrogen

CH₂

Explanation:

Given parameters:

Percentage composition:

          Carbon  = 40.1%

          Hydrogen  = 6.6%

Unknown:

Empirical formula of the compound  = ?

Solution:

The empirical formula of a substance is its simplest formula.

 Elements                             Carbon                             Hydrogen

Percentage

Composition                           40.1                                     6.6

Molecular mass                        12                                         1

Number of moles                  40.1/12                                  6.6/1

                                                3.342                                    6.6

Divide through by

the smallest                         3.342/3.342                           6.6/3.342

                                                      1                                        2

So the empirical formula of the compound is CH₂

we can conclude that the melting point of table salt is above room temperature (it's actually 801 deg c). the melting point of mercury must be below room temperature (- 39 deg c).