Question

The following diagram represents the collection of CO2 and H2O molecules formed by complete combustion of a hydrocarbon. (Figure 1)

What is the empirical formula of the hydrocarbon?
Express your answer as a chemical formula.

Answer 1

the answer is

A + B --------------> CO2 + H2O
since it is combustion, so B must be O2
A + O2 --------------> CO2 + H2O
the form of A is A=CxHy
the number of C is 1 (CO2)
the numer of H is 2 (H2O)

the balanced equation is CH4 + 2O2 -----> CO2 + 2H2O
the empirical formula is CH4