A 0.2500 g sample of a compound known to contain carbon, hydrogen and oxygen undergoes complete combustion to produce 0.3664 gra

Answer:

C₂H₅O₂

Explanation:

From the information provided in the question, we have the following details:

Mass of compound = 0.25 g

Mass of CO₂ = 0.3664 g

Mass of H₂O = 0.15 g

Empirical formula =?

Now, let’s calculate the masses of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen within the compound as follows:

For Carbon (C):

Mass of CO₂ = 0.3664 g

Molar mass of CO₂ = 12 + (2×16) = 44 g/mol

Mass of C = 12/44 × 0.3664

Mass of C = 0.1

For Hydrogen (H):

Mass of H₂O = 0.15 g

Molar mass of H₂O = (2×1) + 16 = 18 g/mol

Mass of H = 2/18 × 0.15

Mass of H = 0.02 g

For Oxygen (O):

Mass of C = 0.1 g

Mass of H = 0.02 g

Mass of compound = 0.25 g

Mass of O =?

Mass of O = (Mass of compound) – (Mass of C + Mass of H)

Mass of O = 0.25 – (0.1 + 0.02)

Mass of O = 0.25 –0.12

Mass of O = 0.13 g

In conclusion, we will now find the empirical formula for the compound:

C = 0.1

H = 0.02

O = 0.13

Next, we divide by their respective molar mass:

C = 0.1 / 12 = 0.0083

H = 0.02 / 1 = 0.02

O = 0.13 / 16 = 0.0081

Then we divide by the smallest value:

C = 0.0083 / 0.0081 = 1

H = 0.02 / 0.0081 = 2.47

O = 0.008 / 0.008 = 1

Finally, we multiply by 2 to present in whole numbers:

C = 1 × 2 = 2

H = 2.47 × 2 = 5

O = 1 × 2 = 2

Therefore, the empirical formula for the compound is C₂H₅O₂