A hydrocarbon contains 80% carbon. What is the empirical formula of the compound?

Question

A hydrocarbon contains 80% carbon. What is the empirical formula of the compound? (A) CH2 (B) CH3 (C) CH4 (D) CH

Tardigrade Admin · Accepted Answer

Elements % Relative no. of atoms Simplest ratio Carbon 80 (80/12) = 6.66 ( 6.66/6.66) = 1 Hydrogenn 20 ( 20/1) = 20 ( 20/6.66) = 3 Empirical formula = CH3

Q. A hydrocarbon contains 80% carbon. What is the empirical formula of the compound?

$C H_{2}$

$C H_{3}$

$C H_{4}$

CH

Elements % Relative no. of atoms Simplest ratio

Carbon 80 $\frac{80}{12} = 6.66$ $\frac{6.66}{6.66} = 1$

Hydrogenn 20 $\frac{20}{1} = 20$ $\frac{20}{6.66} = 3$

Empirical formula $= C H_{3}$

Elements	%	Relative no. of atoms	Simplest ratio
Carbon	80	$\frac{80}{12} = 6.66$	$\frac{6.66}{6.66} = 1$
Hydrogenn	20	$\frac{20}{1} = 20$	$\frac{20}{6.66} = 3$

Q. A hydrocarbon contains 80% carbon. What is the empirical formula of the compound?

CH2​

CH3​

CH4​

CH

Elements % Relative no. of atoms Simplest ratio Carbon 80 1280​=6.66 6.666.66​=1 Hydrogenn 20 120​=20 6.6620​=3 Empirical formula =CH3​

$C H_{2}$

$C H_{3}$

$C H_{4}$

Elements % Relative no. of atoms Simplest ratio

Carbon 80 $\frac{80}{12} = 6.66$ $\frac{6.66}{6.66} = 1$

Hydrogenn 20 $\frac{20}{1} = 20$ $\frac{20}{6.66} = 3$

Empirical formula $= C H_{3}$