Question

When 50 cm3 of a hydrocarbon, cxhy, was burned in excess oxygen, 200 cm3 of carbon dioxide and 250cm3 of steam were produced (all volumes were measured under the same conditions). what is the molecular formula of the hydrocarbon?

Answer 1

From the problem, you make 200 cm3 of CO2 and 250 cm3 of H2O so the ratio of H/C in the original HC must be 2 * 250 / 200 = 5/


 

 

 

CxHy(g) + (x+y/4)O2(g) --> xCO2(g) + (y/2)H2O(g) 50 cm³................. ................200cm³