Combustion analysis of a hydrocarbon produced 33.01 g co2 and 27.02 g h2o. calculate the empirical formula of the hydrocarbon.

The empirical formula of hydrocarbon is CH4

explanation

Hydrocarbon contain both hydrogen (H) and carbon (C)

calculate the mass of C and H

mass of C from CO2 = 12/44x33.01=9.003 g

mass of H from H2O = 2/18 x27.02 = 3.002 g

find the number of moles of C and H

mole=mass/molar mass

moles of C = 9.003g/12g/mol=0.7503 moles

moles of H = 3.002g / 1g/mol = 3.002 moles

find the mole ratio of each element by dividing each mole with smallest number of mole (0.7503 moles)

that is C=0.7503/0.7503=1

H=3.002/0.7503=4

therefore the empirical formula = CH4