An unknown hydrocarbon is subjected to elemental analysis. The results of this test show that the compound is 83.24% carbon and 16.76% hydrogen With a molar mass of 72 g\mole, the molecular formula of this compound is _____.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The empirical formula is CH₂, and the molar mass of the empirical formula is 14 g/mol. The molecular formula is a multiple of the empirical formula. 72 g/mol divided by 14 g/mol is approximately 5, so the molecular formula is C₅H₁₀.

An Unknown Hydrocarbon Is Subjected to Elemental Analysis