Answer
$C_2 O_2$
Work Step by Step
Step 1:
Assume that you are working with 100 grams.
C = 42.9 grams
O = 57.1 grams
Step 2:
Calculate the number of moles.
C = 42.9/12 = 3.575 mole
O = 57.1/16 = 3.569 mole
Step 3:
Divide by the smallest number of mole (3.569).
C = 3.575/3.575 = 1
O = 3.569/3.575 = 0.998 = 1
Thus the empirical formula is CO
Empirical weight = 12 + 16 = 28 grams
Step 4;
Find the molecular formula factor.
Molecular weight/empirical weight = 56/28 = 2
We multiply each element in the empirical formula by 2 to get the molecular formula.
$C_2 O_2 $
