basic

Empirical Formula from Combustion-Analysis CO₂ and H₂O Calculator

mass-C from mass-CO₂; mass-H from mass-H₂O; mass-O by difference.

Determine the empirical formula of an organic compound containing C, H, and (optionally) O from a combustion analysis: an organic sample of known mass burned to completion produces mass m_CO₂ of carbon dioxide and mass m_H₂O of water. Carbon mass = m_CO₂ × 12.01 / 44.01; hydrogen mass = m_H₂O × 2.016 / 18.016; oxygen mass = sample_mass − C − H. Reports the moles of each element and the simplest mole ratio.

Dr. Helena Ortiz By Dr. Helena Ortiz
Published Last reviewed 1 min read

Inputs

g
g
g

Results

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How to use this calculator

  1. Fill in the inputs above using the units you already have.
  2. Values update automatically as you type — no submit button needed.
  3. Hover any result row for the underlying formula and intermediate values.

Formula

m_C = m_CO₂·12.01/44.01; m_H = m_H₂O·2.016/18.016; m_O = m_sample − m_C − m_H.

In depth

Determine the empirical formula of an organic compound containing C, H, and (optionally) O from a combustion analysis: an organic sample of known mass burned to completion produces mass m_CO₂ of carbon dioxide and mass m_H₂O of water. Carbon mass = m_CO₂ × 12.01 / 44.01; hydrogen mass = m_H₂O × 2.016 / 18.016; oxygen mass = sample_mass − C − H. Reports the moles of each element and the simplest mole ratio.