Help chemistry h.w. combustion (not my strong suit)

Question

Adipic acid contains only C, H, and O. Combustion of a 1.6380-g sample of adipic acid gives 2.960 g of CO2 and 1.010 g of H2O.

a) What is the simplest formula for adipic acid?

b) what is its molecular formula?

could you please explain the steps too ^_^

Answer 1

Balance the reaction, start with the CO2, convert to moles, which will equal the number of moles of C. Do the same for H next, then O. Once you have all the moles you have the molecular formula.