A gas contains carbon and hydrogen in the ratio 1:0.33 by mass, another gas in the series has carbon and hydrogen in the ratio 1:0.25 by mass. If the first gas was found to be methane (CH₄), then the second gas will be _____.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The first gas, methane (CH₄), has a carbon to hydrogen mass ratio of 1:0.33, which aligns with its molecular formula since carbon has an atomic mass of approximately 12 u and hydrogen has an atomic mass of approximately 1 u. For the second gas, a carbon to hydrogen mass ratio of 1:0.25 suggests a higher proportion of carbon relative to hydrogen compared to methane. This ratio fits ethylene (C₂H₄), where the carbon mass is double that of methane (2 x 12 u = 24 u) and the hydrogen mass is 4 u, giving a ratio of 24:4 or 1:0.25 by mass.

A Gas Contains Carbon and Hydrogen in the Ratio 1:0