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Problem : An organic compound containing carbon, nitrogen and oxygen will have a weight ratio $9:1:3$. The molecular weight of the compound is $108$. What is the formula of the compound?

I thought of calculating the empirical formula, but percentages are given for that, and not weight.

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It's an algebra problem.

108 = 9x + 1x + 3x

Solve for x.

Weight of carbon per molecule = 9x Weight of nitrogen per molecule = 1x Weight of oxygen per molecule = 3x

Then convert from weights to numbers (I assume you know how to do that :) ).

Note that the result is rather nonsensical, as it gives you fractional atoms.

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  • $\begingroup$ The answer is given as $C_6H_8N_2$. $\endgroup$
    – jimpix
    Commented Aug 24, 2016 at 13:29

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