Chapter 3, Problem 90RQ

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Using the given data, the empirical formula of MEK is to be determined.

Concept Introduction:

In a combustion reaction, hydrocarbons are burnt in the presence of oxygen and produce carbon dioxide and water.

Empirical formula generates the smallest whole number ratio for each kind of atom. Generally, an empirical formula does not give a representation of a molecule. It rather represents a ratio of atoms and not that of masses.

The empirical formula for the given compound can be determined with the help of relative masses of the elements, which constitute the compound.

There are three rules on determining how many significant figures are in a number:

None-zero digits are always significant.

Zeros to the left of first non-zero digit, called leading zeros, are never counted as significant.

Any zeros between two significant digits are significant.

A final zero or trailing zeros are counted as significant only if the number has a decimal point, not otherwise.

For addition and subtraction, the answer should have the same number of decimal places as the quantity with the fewest number of decimal places.

For multiplication and division, the number of significant figures in the answer should be equal to the number of significant figures in the least precise measurement (i.e. number with the fewest significant figures).