Answer
Empirical formula: CH_2O
Molecular formula: C_3H_6O_3
The structure that fits this formula is shown in the picture.
Work Step by Step
The numerical calculation for the problem is shown in the picture.
Assuming that the total is 100g, we can use the percentages as masses (g).
1) Divide the percentages by the element's molar mass and find the number of moles for each element.
2) Divide the number of moles by the lowest number of moles to get a whole number for the element.
3) Those whole numbers placed as a subscript of the respective elements gives the empirical formula of the compound.
4) Divide the molecular mass by empirical mass, to get a number.
5) Multiply that number with the empirical formula, to get the molecular formula.
6) Using the molecular formula draw a structure.
