Chemistry

Question Analysis
This question evaluates the student's ability to determine the empirical formula from the percent composition of a compound.

Key Concept Explanation
To find the empirical formula, convert the percent composition to moles, then find the simplest whole-number ratio of the elements.

Step-by-step Solution
1. Assume a 100 g sample: C: 52.1 g, H: 13.1 g, O: 34.8 g.
2. Convert grams to moles: C: 52.1 g / 12.01 g/mol ≈ 4.34 mol, H: 13.1 g / 1.008 g/mol ≈ 13.0 mol, O: 34.8 g / 16.00 g/mol ≈ 2.18 mol.
3. Divide each mole value by the smallest mole value (2.18): C: 4.34 / 2.18 ≈ 2.00, H: 13.0 / 2.18 ≈ 6.00, O: 2.18 / 2.18 = 1.
4. Round to the nearest whole number: C: 2, H: 6, O: 1.
5. Therefore, the correct answer is

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