Analysis of a sample of a covalent compound showed that it contained 14.4% hydrogen and 85.6% carbon by mass. what is the empirical formula for this compound?

Question

Chemistry

Gideon Rowland

13 April, 03:48

Analysis of a sample of a covalent compound showed that it contained 14.4% hydrogen and 85.6% carbon by mass. what is the empirical formula for this compound?

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Answers (1)

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Buffie · Answer 1

W (C) = 0.865

A (C) = 12

w (H) = 0.144

A (H) = 1

CxHy

M (CxHy) = 12x+y

w (C) = xA (C) / (12x+y)

w (H) = yA (H) / (12x+y)

solve a system of two equations with two unknowns

12x / (12x+y) = 0.856

y / (12x+y) = 0.144

x=1

y=2

CH₂ is the empirical formula