Question

One mole of an unknown compound has 36.04g of carbon and 6.04g of hydrogen. What is the compound's empirical formula?

Answer 1

The answer is: the compound's empirical formula is CH₂.

m(C) = 36.04 g; mass of carbon.

M(C) = 12.01 g/mol; molar mass of carbon.

n(C) = m(C) ÷ M(C).

n(C) = 36.04 g ÷ 12.01 g/mol.

n(C) = 3 mol; amount of carbon.

m(H) = 6.04 g; mass of hydrogen.

n(H) = 6.04 g ÷ 1.007 g/mol.

n(H) = 6 mol; amount of hydrogen.

n(C) : n(H) = 3 mol : 6 mol.

n(C) : n(H) = 1 mol : 2 mol.