Final answer:
The empirical formula of the hydrocarbon can be found by determining the moles of carbon and hydrogen from the products of combustion, CO₂ and H₂O, respectively. The molar ratio provides the simplest whole number ratio, yielding the empirical formula CH₂.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the empirical formula of the hydrocarbon from the combustion analysis, we first need to find the amount of carbon (C) and hydrogen (H) that were in the original compound. This is accomplished using the masses of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O) produced.
- Calculate the moles of carbon in the CO₂:
(33.01 g CO₂) × (1 mol CO₂/44.01 g CO₂) = 0.750 moles of C - Calculate the moles of hydrogen in the H₂O:
(27.02 g H₂O) × (1 mol H₂O/18.015 g H₂O) = 1.500 moles of H
Now divide the moles of each element by the smallest number of moles calculated to obtain the simplest whole number ratio.
- Moles of C: 0.750 / 0.750 = 1
- Moles of H: 1.500 / 0.750 = 2
Therefore, the empirical formula is CH₂.