A 2.288 g sample of a hydrocarbon is burned in an excess of dioxygen,producing 6.277 g CO₂ and 5.139 g H₂O.What is the empirical formula of the hydrocarbon?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The empirical formula of the hydrocarbon is CH₂. This is because the ratio of carbon to hydrogen atoms in the hydrocarbon is 1:2. This can be determined by dividing the mass of carbon in the hydrocarbon by the atomic mass of carbon (12.01 g/mol) and dividing the mass of hydrogen in the hydrocarbon by the atomic mass of hydrogen (1.008 g/mol). The resulting ratio is 1:2, which corresponds to the empirical formula CH₂.

A 2288 G Sample of a Hydrocarbon Is Burned in an an Excess