Question

if a 2gm hydrocarbon is oxidized,,we get 4.5 gm H2O and 5.5 gm CO2...what is the moleculer formula of the hydrocarbon????

Answer 1

is there any body to help??????

Answer 2

Not sure if I am on the right path.
Let \(C_xH_y\) be the hydrocarbon. The equation for reaction is
\[C_xH_y + (x+\frac{y}{2}) O_2 \rightarrow \frac{y}{2}H_2O +x CO_2\]
No. of mole of \(CO_2\) = x = \(\frac{5.5}{12.0+16.0\times 2}\)
x =...
No. of mole of \(H_2O\) = \(\frac{y}{2}=\frac{4.5}{1.0\times 2+16.0}\)
y = ...
Then find the LCM of x and y so that x and y are integers, and you'll get the molecular formula.