The pain reliever morphine contains 17.900 g C, 1.680 g H, 4.225 g O, and 1.228 g N. What is the emperical formula of morphine?

C17H19O3N

To determine the empirical formula of morphine, we need to find the ratios of the elements present in the compound.

To calculate the empirical formula, follow these steps:

1. Convert the given masses of each element into moles. To do this, divide the mass of each element by its molar mass.

The molar masses of the elements are:
- C (carbon): 12.01 g/mol
- H (hydrogen): 1.008 g/mol
- O (oxygen): 16.00 g/mol
- N (nitrogen): 14.01 g/mol

Converting the masses to moles:
C: 17.900 g / 12.01 g/mol ≈ 1.491 mol
H: 1.680 g / 1.008 g/mol ≈ 1.667 mol
O: 4.225 g / 16.00 g/mol ≈ 0.264 mol
N: 1.228 g / 14.01 g/mol ≈ 0.088 mol

2. Divide the number of moles of each element by the smallest number of moles obtained to determine the simplest whole-number ratio between the elements.

From the previous step, the smallest number of moles is approximately 0.088 mol (from nitrogen).
Dividing the number of moles of each element by 0.088 mol:
C: 1.491 mol / 0.088 mol ≈ 16.97
H: 1.667 mol / 0.088 mol ≈ 18.95
O: 0.264 mol / 0.088 mol ≈ 3.00
N: 0.088 mol / 0.088 mol = 1.00

3. Round the ratios to the nearest whole numbers.

After rounding, we get:
C: 17
H: 19
O: 3
N: 1

Therefore, the empirical formula of morphine is C17H19NO3.

See your earlier post answered by Bob Pursley.