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For the gaseous hydrocarbon sample with 82.66% carbon, a pressure of 556 mmHg, a temperature of 25°C, and a mass of 0.275 g, what is the molecular formula of the compound?

a. C3H8
b. C4H10
c. C5H12
d. C6H14

User Jed Lynch
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

To determine the molecular formula of a hydrocarbon, first calculate the empirical formula by converting the percentage of each element into grams and then determining the number of moles of each element. Use the smallest number of moles to relate the number of moles of carbon to hydrogen. Finally, to find the molecular formula, divide the molar mass of the compound by the empirical formula mass and multiply by the empirical formula.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine the molecular formula of the hydrocarbon, we need to first find the empirical formula. Since the hydrocarbon has 82.66% carbon, we can assume 100g of the compound. The number of moles of carbon can be calculated by converting its mass to moles using the molar mass of carbon. The number of moles of hydrogen can be calculated in a similar manner. The empirical formula is then determined by dividing the moles of carbon and hydrogen by the smallest number of moles. The empirical formula is CH₂.

Next, to find the molecular formula, we need to determine the molar mass of the compound. Given the mass, pressure, temperature, and volume of the sample, we can use the ideal gas law to calculate the number of moles. Then, we can divide the molar mass by the empirical formula mass to find the number of empirical units in the molecular formula. Multiplying the empirical formula by the number of empirical units gives us the molecular formula.

Based on the given data, the correct choice for the molecular formula of the compound is d. C6H14.

User Huupke
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