An unknown compound contains only c, h, and o. combustion of 8.50 g of this compound produced 20.0 g co2 and 5.46 g h2o. what is the empirical formula of the unknown compound?

The answer to your question is: C₃H₄O

Explanation:

Data

CxHyOz = 8.5 g

CO2 = 20 g

H2O = 5.46 g

Reaction

             CxHyOz + O2     ⇒    CO2   +    H2O

CO2

    MW = 44g

                       44g CO2 12g of C

                        20g CO2   x

                       x = (20 x 12) / 44

                       x = 5.45 g of C

                     # of moles = n = 5.45 / 12 = 0.454 mol of C

H2O

     MW = 18 g

                       18 g H2O 2g of H

                       5.46 g       x

                       x = (5.46 x 2) / 18 = 0.61 g of H

                       n = 0.61 / 1 = 0.61 moles of H2

Mass of O2

              mass CxHyOz = mass CO2 + mass H2 + mass O2

              mass O2 = 8.5 - 5.45 - 0.61

              mass O2 = 2.44g

              n = 2.44 / 16 = 0.153 mol of O2

Now, divide by the lowest number of moles

0.454 mol of C/ 0.153 = 2.97 ≈ 3

0.61 moles of H2/ 0.153 = 3.99 ≈ 4

0.153 mol of O2/ 0.153 =  1

Then, the empirical formula is: C₃H₄O

hurricanes form when warm, moist air from the ocean surface quickly rises into the atmosphere and forms storm clouds and rain. when the clouds are formed, heat is released which warms the cool air in the upper regions of the atmosphere so that the cycle can continue. which two phases of the water cycle are repeated in this process?