When 40 cm^3 of a hydrocarbon, C_xH_y, was burned in excess oxygen, 300 cm^3 of carbon dioxide and 260 cm^3 of steam are produced (all volumes were measured under the same conditions). What is the molecular formula of the hydrocarbon?

Question

abmon98 · Answer

relative moles of reactants and products automatically gives us the gas volumes ratio of reactants and products, if all the gas volumes are measured at the same temperature and pressure.

abmon98 · Answer

I am not sure about my answer but i got a molecular formula of C15H26

anonymous · Answer

Can you please work out how you got your answer?

abmon98 · Answer

40:300:260
Divide by the smallest figure 
40/40:300/40:260/40
1:7.5/6.5
we cant work with fraction so we multiply the whole mole ratio by 2
2:15:13

abmon98 · Answer

the Number of C atoms in the product are the same number of C on the reactant side same goes to H2

anonymous · Answer

So would the molecular formula for the hydrocarbon be C_15H_13?