Chapter 2, Problem 13P

(a)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The masses of Carbon & Hydrogen in the sample should be calculated by the masses of ${\text{CO}}_{\text{2}}$ & ${\text{H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}$ .

Concept introduction:Organic compounds which contain Carbon & Hydrogen as constituting atoms produce ${\text{CO}}_{\text{2}}$ & ${\text{H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}$ when heated with ${\text{O}}_{\text{2}}$ at higher temperatures. The process is known as combustion of hydrocarbons.

(b)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The possibility of having types of constituting atoms in the compound other than Carbon & Hydrogen should be decided.

Concept introduction: Organic compounds which contain Carbon & Hydrogen as constituting atoms produce ${\text{CO}}_{\text{2}}$ & ${\text{H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}$ when heated with ${\text{O}}_{\text{2}}$ at higher temperatures. The process is known as combustion of hydrocarbons.

(c)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:Mass percentage of Carbon & Hydrogen of the compound should be calculated.

Concept introduction:The mass percentage of an element of a compound can be calculated by the following equation.

  $\text{Mass percentage of an element=}\frac{\text{Mass of the element}}{\text{Total mass of the compound}}\text{×100\%}$

(d)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:The empirical formulas of the compound should be derived by using the calculated values in sub part (a).

Concept introduction:An empirical formula of a chemical compound expresses the proportions of the constituting elements present in a compound but not the actual number of atoms in the compound.