163k views
5 votes
A hydrocarbon contains 20 % by mass of hydrogen. What is its empirical formula?

User Tutul
by
5.0k points

1 Answer

2 votes

Answer: C4H

Step-by-step explanation:

An hydrocarbon is a compound with carbon and hydrogen atoms only covalently linked together.

Thus, all hydrocarbons have a basic formula of CH.

Now, mass of hydrocarbon = 100%

Mass of hydrogen = 20%

Mass of carbon = (100% - 20%) = 80%

i.e Carbon : Hydrogen

= 80% : 20%

= (80% / 20%)

= 4 : 1

Thus, the empirical formula of the hydrocarbon is C4H

User Royan
by
5.4k points