2 Convert the masses to moles. The first step in identifying an unknown sample we need to determine the empirical formula from percent composition. Example An unknown compound contains 8563 C and 1437 H.
The mole ratio reveals the empirical.
Created by Sal Khan. That is divided by the molar mass of the compound and multiplied by 100. Percentages can be entered as decimals or percentages ie. The percent composition gives you only the empirical formula.