Empirical formula

[salvadorramos3k]

Hi how are you supposed to find the empirical formula if you are only given the masses of the reactants? There was a similar one on the Dino Nuggets packet as well as on the exam but I didn't know how to go about it methodically. All I did was find the molecular formula knowing that the two sides of the equation were already balanced and divided by the smallest mole but I'm pretty sure this is cheating it and not what they were looking for. Thanks!

[Amy Kumar 1I]

If you are given the mass of the reactants, convert it to moles of each reactant using the molar mass from the periodic table. Then divide each molar value by the smallest molar value and multiply to get whole numbers if necessary.

[philipraj_1F]

Like what was said above, the specific mass you are given does not matter as long as the ratio is correct and you convert it to moles.