You are asked to identify compound x, which was extracted from a plant seized by customs inspectors. you run a number of tests and collect the following data. compound x is a white, crystalline solid. an aqueous solution of x turns litmus red and conducts electricity poorly, even when x is present at appreciable concentrations. when you add sodium hydroxide to the solution a reaction takes place. a solution of the products of the reaction conducts electricity well. an elemental analysis of x shows that the mass percentage composition of the compound is 26.68% c and 2.239% h, with the remainder being oxygen. a mass spectrum of x yields a molar mass of 90.0 g mol"1. (a) write the empirical formula of x. (b) write the molecular formula of x (c) write the balanced chemical equation and the net ionic equation for the reaction of x with sodium hydroxide. (assume that x has two acidic hydrogen atoms.)

Explanation:

Compound X must be acidic  since it turns litmus red.

It must be covalent because it conducts electricity poorly even at high concentrations.

The observation that X reacts with NaOH confirms is an acid, and the products of this reactions must conduct electricity since we know the reaction of an acid with a base produces salt (the ions of the salt are in solution) and water:

HX + NaOH ⇒Na⁺ + X⁻ + H₂O

a)Empirical Formula:

Calculate the proportion of atoms given the composition and express it in integers.

Atomic Weights (g/mol) : C=12, H=1, O=16

In 100 g X :

26.68 g C / 12 g/mol = 2.22   ⇒   C:   2.22/2.22 = 1

2.239 g H / 1 g/mol =   2.24          H:  2.24/2.22 ≅ 1

71.08 g O / 16g/mol =  4.44           O:  4.44/2.22 = 2

Empirical Formula : CHO₂

b) Molar mass empirical formula = 45 g/mol ; molar mass = 90.0 g/mol ∴ Molecular formula X =  C₂H₂O₄

c) H₂C₂O₄ + NaOH ⇒ C₂O₄²⁻ + 2Na⁺ + H₂O

the ideal gas law equation is as follows

pv = nrt

where p - pressure

v - volume

n - number of moles

r - universal gas constant

t - temperature

so if the pressure, volume and temperature are already known

we are left with n and r

since r is the universal gas constant that has a known fixed value then r too is known

so we are left with 'n'

once we know temperature volume and pressure

we can find the number of moles of gas present using the ideal gas law equation

this is not my own answer, this is an answer for the same question by the user blahblahmali. i do not claim ownership of this account.