A 0.4647-g sample of a compound known to contain only carbon,hydrogen,and oxygen was burned in dioxygen to yield 0.01962 mol of CO₂ and 0.01961 mol of H₂O.What is the empirical formula of the compound? A)CHO B)C₃H₃O₂ C)C₂H₂O D)C₃H₆O₂ E)C₆H₃O₂

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The moles of carbon and hydrogen can be determined from the moles of CO2 and H2O produced. The moles of carbon are equal to the moles of CO2 (0.01962 mol), and the moles of hydrogen are twice the moles of H2O (0.01961 mol x 2 = 0.03922 mol). The remaining mass is oxygen, which can be calculated by subtracting the mass of carbon and hydrogen from the total mass. The empirical formula is determined by the simplest whole number ratio of moles of C, H, and O, which is C3H6O2.

A 04647-G Sample of a Compound Known to Contain Only Carbon,hydrogen,and