Question

A compound is composed of only C, H, and O. The combustion of a .519-g sample of the compound yields 1.24 g of CO_2 and .255 g of H_2O. What is the empirical formula of the compound?

Answer 1

Empirical formula is C₃H₃O.

Step-by-step explanation:

Given data:

Mass of compound = 0.519 g

Mass of CO₂ = 1.24 g

Mass of H₂O = 0.255 g

Empirical formula = ?

Solution:

%age of C,H,O

C = 1.24 g/0.519 × 12/44 ×100 = 65.5%

H = 0.255 g/0.519 × 2.016/18 ×100 = 5.6%

O = 100 - (65.5+5.6)

O = 28.9%

Number of gram atoms of H = 5.6 / 1.01 = 5.5

Number of gram atoms of O = 28.9 / 16 = 1.81

Number of gram atoms of C = 65.5 / 12 = 5.5

Atomic ratio:

C : H : O

5.5/1.81 : 5.5/1.81 : 1.81/1.81

3 : 3 : 1

C : H : O = 3 : 3 : 1

Empirical formula is C₃H₃O.