Complete combustion of 1.20 g of an organic compound containing C, H, and O produced 1.76 g of CO₂ and 0.72 g of H₂O. What is its empirical formula?
- CH₂O
- C₂H₄O
- CH₄O
- C₂H₆O
📝 Detailed explanation
C mass = 1.76 × (12/44) = 0.48 g (0.04 mol).H mass = 0.72 × (2/18) = 0.08 g (0.08 mol).
O mass = 1.20 - (0.48 + 0.08) = 0.64 g (0.04 mol).
Ratio C:H:O = 0.04 : 0.08 : 0.04 = 1 : 2 : 1. Empirical formula = CH₂O.