A gaseous compound containing carbon and hydrogen was analyzed and found to consist of 83.65% carbon by mass. The molar mass of the compound is 86.2 g/mol. What is the molecular formula of the compound

The molecular formula is C6H14

Explanation:

Step 1: Data given

Suppose the mass of compound = 100 grams

A compound contains:

Carbon = 83.65 % = 83.65 grams

Hydrogen = 16.35 % = 16.35 grams

Atomic mass of carbon = 12.01 g/mol

Atomic mass of hydrogen = 1.01 g/mol

Molar mass of compound = 86.2 g/mol

Step 2: Calculate moles

Moles = mass / molar mass

Moles carbon = 83.65 grams / 12.01 g/mol

Moles carbon = 6.965 moles

Moles hydrogen = 16.35 grams / 1.01 g/mol

Moles hydrogen = 16.19 moles

Step 3: Calculate mol ratio

We divide by the smallest amount of moles

C: 6.965 moles / 6.965 moles = 1

H = 16.19 moles / 6.965 moles = 2.33

This means for 1 mol C we have 2.33 moles H  OR for 3 moles C we have 7 moles H

The empirical formula is C3H7

The molecular mass of this formula is 43.1 g/mol

Step 4: Calculate molecular formula

We have to multiply the empirical formula by n

n = 86.2 g/mol / 43.1 g/mol

n = 2

Molecular formula = 2*(C3H7) = C6H14

The molecular formula is C6H14

plants need sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to make food. plants use the raw materials of water, nutrients they absorb from soil, and carbon dioxide to make sugars the plant can use. energy from the sun and chlorophyll are also needed.