In a quantitative analysis study, 4.624 grams of a hydrocarbon compound yielded 13.84 g of CO₂ and 7.556 g of H₂O in a combustion analysis apparatus. Determine the empirical formula of the compound. Hint: Use moles to relate the quantities of the substances.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The moles of carbon in CO₂ and hydrogen in H₂O are calculated and compared to find the simplest whole number ratio. The moles of carbon are 13.84 g CO₂ / 44.01 g/mol = 0.3145 mol C. The moles of hydrogen are 7.556 g H₂O / 18.02 g/mol = 0.419 mol H, which is 0.838 mol H (since each H₂O has 2 H atoms). The ratio of C:H is approximately 3:8, leading to the empirical formula C₃H₈.

In a Quantitative Analysis Study, 4