When a hydrocarbon A undergoes combustion in the presence of air, it requires equivalents of oxygen and produces equivalents of water. What is the molecular formula of A?

Question

When a hydrocarbon A undergoes combustion in the presence of air, it requires  equivalents of oxygen and produces  equivalents of water. What is the molecular formula of A?

Canvas Classes · Accepted Answer

Strategy:
 Use the general combustion formula for a hydrocarbon :
 
 Match the "equivalents" (moles) of Oxygen consumed and Water produced to find  and .

Step 1: Solve for y from water yield
.

Step 2: Solve for x from Oxygen consumption
.

.

Step 3: Assemble the formula
Molecular formula is .

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