Answer:
The answer to your question is: C₂H₄O
Explanation:
Data
Butyric acid CxHyOz
mass = 4.30 g
mass CO2 = 8.59 g
mass H2O = 3.52 g
Empirical formula = ?
Molecular weight CO2 = 44g
Molecular weight H2O = 18 g
Reaction
CxHyOz + O2 ⇒ CO2 + H2O
Process
Find the mass and moles of carbon
44g of CO2 ------------- 12 g of C
8.59g of CO2 ---------- x
x = 2.34 g of C
12 g of C ----------------- 1 mol of C
2.34 g of C ------------ x
x = 0.195 moles of carbon
Find the moles and mass of hidrogen
18 g of H2O ------------- 2 g of H
3.52 g of H2O --------- x
x = 0.39 g of H
1 g of H ----------------- 1 mol of H
0.39 g of H --------------- x
x = 0.39 mol of H
Find the mass and moles of oxygen
Mass of O = 4.30 - 2.34 - 0.39
= 1.57 g
Moles of Oxygen
16 g of O ----------------- 1 mol
1.57 g of O ------------- x
x = 0.098 moles
Divide the number of moles by the lowest number
Carbon 0.195/0.098 = 1.98 ≈ 2
Hydrogen 0.39/0.098 = 3.97 ≈ 4
Oxygen 0.098/0.098 = 1
Finally
Empirical formula = C₂H₄O
