The molecular formula : C₄H₈O₂
Further explanation
Maybe a compound is 54.5% carbon, 9.1% hydrogen and 36.4% oxygen,so :
mol C :
[tex]\tt \dfrac{54.5}{12}=4.54[/tex]
mol H :
[tex]\tt \dfrac{9.1}{1}=9.1[/tex]
mol O :
[tex]\tt \dfrac{36.4}{16}=2.28[/tex]
Divide by 2.28(the smallest ratio) :
C H : O =
[tex]\tt \dfrac{4.54}{2.28}\div \dfrac{9.1}{2.28}\div \dfrac{2.28}{2.28}=2\div 4\div 1[/tex]
The empirical formula : C₂H₄O
(The empirical formula)n=molecular formula
(2.12+4.1+16)n=88
(44)n=88⇒n=2
