Q. In a compound $A$ containing carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, the $\%$ of hydrogen is one sixth that of carbon which is $1.5$ times that of oxygen. What is the simplest formula for the compound :
Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry
Solution:
Let $\%$ of oxygen $=x$
$\%$ of $H =\frac{1}{6} \times \%$ of $C =\frac{1.5 x }{6}$
$\% C =1.5 \times \%$ of $O =1.5 \times x$
element
%
A
%/A
Simple ratio
C
1.5 x
12
$\frac{1.5 x}{12}$
$\frac{1.5 x}{6} \times 16 = 2$
H
$\frac{1.5x}{6}$
1
$\frac{1.5 x}{6}$
$\frac{1.5 x}{6} \times 16 = 2$
O
x
16
$\frac{x}{16}$
$=1$
Empirical formula $=C_2H_4O$
| element | % | A | %/A | Simple ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 1.5 x | 12 | $\frac{1.5 x}{12}$ | $\frac{1.5 x}{6} \times 16 = 2$ |
| H | $\frac{1.5x}{6}$ | 1 | $\frac{1.5 x}{6}$ | $\frac{1.5 x}{6} \times 16 = 2$ |
| O | x | 16 | $\frac{x}{16}$ | $=1$ |