When 7.085 grams of a hydrocarbon, CxHy, were burned in a combustion analysis apparatus, 21.71 grams of CO2 and 10.37 grams of H2O were produced. In a separate experiment, the molar mass of the compound was found to be 86.18 g/mol. Determine the empirical formula and the molecular formula of the hydrocarbon.

- Empirical:

- Molecular:

Explanation:

Hello,

In this case, based on the information regarding the combustion, the moles of carbon turn out:

Moreover, the moles of hydrogen:

Thus, the subscripts of carbon and hydrogen in the hydrocarbon turn out:

Now, looking for a suitable whole number we obtain the following empirical formula as 2.335 times 3 is 7 for hydrogen:

In such a way, that compound has a molar mass of 43 g/mol, thus, the whole compound's molar mass is 86.18 g/mol for which the molecular formula is twice the empirical one, therefore:

Which is hexane.

Best regards.