When a sample of cyclohexene is burned in oxygen, 4.822 g of co2 and 1.650 g of h2o are obtained. what is the simplest formula for cyclohexene?

The empirical formula of cyclohexene is C₃H₅

Explanation:

Given parameters:

Mass of CO₂ produced = 4.822g

Mass of H₂O produced = 1.650g

Unknown:

Simplest formula of cyclohexene or empirical formula of cyclohexene = ?

Solution:

We first write the balanced combustion equation of the cyclohexene in oxygen gas:

   Cyclohexene = C₆H₁₀

                      2C₆H₁₀ + 17O₂ →12CO₂ + 10H₂O

From the gases produced, we can obtain the masses of the constituent atoms that makes up cyclohexene. Cyclohexene which is a hydrocarbon is made up of hydrogen and carbon atoms:

Mass of C in CO₂ = x mass of CO₂

   Mass of C = x 4.822 = 1.3151g

Mass of H in H₂O =   x mass of H₂O

   Mass of H =   x 1.650 = 0.1833g

Using these masses, we can find the empirical formula of the hydrocarbon:

                                         C                                           H

Masses(g)                       1.3151                                   0.1833

Number

of moles                        

                                         0.1096                                0.1833

Simplest

form                    

                                                1                                              1.672

Empirical formula is usually expressed to the simplest whole number ratios. Therefore, to obtain the simplest whole number ratio here, simply multiply by a factor of 3:

                                          1 x 3                                          1.672 x 3

                                             3                                                   5

The empirical formula of cyclohexene is C₃H₅

it is the most commonly accepted one