The document describes a laboratory experiment to determine the empirical formula of copper(II) oxide. The experiment involves heating copper(II) oxide in a combustion tube under a hydrogen gas flow. The apparatus is weighed before and after heating to calculate the mass of copper and oxygen. The ratio of moles of copper to oxygen gives the empirical formula. Precautions like removing air from the tube and repeating heating/cooling cycles until a constant mass is reached help ensure complete reaction. The empirical formula is determined from the simplest whole number ratio of moles of copper to oxygen.