What is the empirical formula of a hydrocarbon (a compound that consists of only carbon and hydrogen) that contains 81.7% carbon by mass?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The empirical formula is determined by the simplest whole number ratio of moles of each element. For a hydrocarbon with 81.7% carbon, the remaining 18.3% is hydrogen. Converting these percentages to moles (using atomic masses: C = 12, H = 1), the ratio is approximately 3:8, which corresponds to C₃H₈.

What Is the Empirical Formula of a Hydrocarbon (A Compound