Answer
$C_{3}H_{4}O_{3}$
Work Step by Step
In the 100g sample of ascorbic acid, 40.92g carbon, 4.58g hydrogen and 54.50g oxygen are present.
Moles of C=$\frac{40.92g}{12.01g/mol}=3.41\,mol$
Moles of H=$\frac{4.58g}{1.008g/mol}=4.54\,mol$
Moles of O=$\frac{54.50g}{15.999g/mol}=3.41\,mol$
Since 3.41 is the smallest value, division by it gives a ratio of 1:1.33:1 for C:H:O.
Multiplying by 3, we get the ratio in whole numbers.
That is, the ratio is 3:4:3 for C:H:O.
We obtain the empirical formula by mentioning the numbers in the ratio after writing the respective symbols.
Thus, the empirical formula is $C_{3}H_{4}O_{3}$
