Question

a 27 g sample of an unknown hydrocarbon was burner in excess O2 to form 88 g of CO2 and 27 g of h2o . what is possible molecular formula of hydrocarbon ch4 c2h2 c4h3 c4h​

Answer 1

Answer:

C2H3

Explanation:

Let us first write the chemical equation of the given problem in a generic way;

CH + O2 == CO2 + H2O.

Now the number of moles of CO2 produced = 88 / 44 = 2.

And the number of moles of water produced = 27/18 = 1.5.

Now consider the generic equation, let us define the molecules of C and H. Let C have x molecules and H have y. We can write equation as;

CxHy +(x+y/4) O2== x CO2 + y/2H2O.

Now if we compare the above equation with number of moles of CO2 and H20, we can say that;

C = 2.

Y = 3

Hence the hydocarbon would be C2H3