A hydrocarbon molecule contains carbon and hydrogen atoms in equal numbers. Its molar mass is 130.18 g/mol. What is the molecular formula for the hydrocarbon

The molecular formula of the hydrocarbon is C10H10

Explanation:

Here, we are interested in finding the molecular formula for the hydrocarbon.

Since there are equal number of moles of carbon and hydrogen, then we have the molecular formula looking like;

CnHn

Kindly recall that the atomic mass of carbon is 12 a.m.u while that of hydrogen is 1 amu

so calculating the atomic mass of the compound, we have;

12(n) + 1(n) = 130.18

13n = 130.18

n = 130.18/13

n = 10.01

So the molecular formula will be C10H10

C10H10

Explanation:

A hydrocarbon is a binary compound of carbon and hydrogen. Hence a hydrocarbon is a compound of the general formula (CH)n

Thus;

(12 + 1) n = 130.18

n= 130.18/13

n = 10

Hence the molecular formula of the compound is C10H10

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