Final answer:
The empirical formula of the hydrocarbon is CH₂.
Step-by-step explanation:
The empirical formula can be determined by using the law of conservation of mass. Given that 5.40 g of the hydrocarbon produced 17.4 g of CO₂ and 5.92 g of H₂O, we can calculate the moles of each element involved. First, determine the moles of carbon in CO₂:
17.4 g CO₂ x (1 mol CO₂/44.01 g CO₂) = 0.395 mol CO₂
Next, determine the moles of carbon in the hydrocarbon:
0.395 mol CO₂ x (1 mol C/1 mol CO₂) = 0.395 mol C
Then, determine the moles of hydrogen in H₂O:
5.92 g H₂O x (1 mol H₂O/18.02 g H₂O) = 0.328 mol H₂O
Finally, determine the moles of hydrogen in the hydrocarbon:
0.328 mol H₂O x (2 mol H/1 mol H₂O) = 0.656 mol H
The empirical formula of the hydrocarbon is C₀.₃₉₅H₀.₆₅₆, which can be simplified to CH₂