<< Chapter < Page Chapter >> Page >

Generally, the following reaction takes place in combustion analysis:

After burning 1.333 g of a hydrocarbon in a combustion analysis apparatus, 1.410 g of H 2 O and 4.305 g of CO 2 were produced. Separately, the molar mass of this hydrocarbon was found to be 204.35 g/mol. Calculate the empirical and molecular formulas of this hydrocarbon.

Step 1 : Using the molar masses of water and carbon dioxide, determine the moles of hydrogen and carbon that were produced.

Step 2 : Divide the larger molar amount by the smaller molar amount. In some cases, the ratio is not made up of two integers. Convert the numerator of the ratio to an improper fraction and rewrite the ratio in whole numbers as shown.

Therefore, the empirical formula is C 5 H 8 .

Step 3 : To get the molecular formula, divide the experimental molar mass of the unknown hydrocarbon by the empirical formula weight.

Therefore, the molecular formula is (C 5 H 8 ) 3 or C 15 H 24 .

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

After burning 1.082 g of a hydrocarbon in a combustion analysis apparatus, 1.583 g of H 2 O and 3.315 g of CO 2 were produced. Separately, the molar mass of this hydrocarbon was found to be 258.52 g/mol. Calculate the empirical and molecular formulas of this hydrocarbon.

The empirical formula is C 3 H 7 , and the molecular formula is (C 3 H 7 ) 6 or C 18 H 42 .

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Compounds containing carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen

Combustion analysis can also be utilized to determine the empiric and molecular formulas of compounds containing carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. However, as the reaction is performed in an environment of excess oxygen, the amount of oxygen in the sample can be determined from the sample mass, rather than the combustion data ( [link] , [link] ).

A 2.0714 g sample containing carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen was burned in a combustion analysis apparatus; 1.928 g of H 2 O and 4.709 g of CO 2 were produced. Separately, the molar mass of the sample was found to be 116.16 g/mol. Determine the empirical formula, molecular formula, and identity of the sample.

Step 1 : Using the molar masses of water and carbon dioxide, determine the moles of hydrogen and carbon that were produced.

Step 2 : Using the molar amounts of carbon and hydrogen, calculate the masses of each in the original sample.

Step 3 : Subtract the masses of carbon and hydrogen from the sample mass. Now that the mass of oxygen is known, use this to calculate the molar amount of oxygen in the sample.

Step 4 : Divide each molar amount by the smallest molar amount in order to determine the ratio between the three elements.

Therefore, the empirical formula is C 3 H 6 O.

Step 5 : To get the molecular formula, divide the experimental molar mass of the unknown hydrocarbon by the empirical formula weight.

Therefore, the molecular formula is (C 3 H 6 O) 2 or C 6 H 12 O 2 . Possible compound with this molecular formula are shown in ( [link] ).

Structure of possible compounds with the molecular formula C 6 H 12 O 2 : (a) butylacetate, (b) sec -butyl acetate, (c) tert -butyl acetate, (d) ethyl butyrate, (e) haxanoic acid, (f) isobutyl acetate, (g) methyl pentanoate, and (h) propyl proponoate.
Got questions? Get instant answers now!

A 4.846 g sample containing carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen was burned in a combustion analysis apparatus; 4.843 g of H 2 O and 11.83 g of CO 2 were produced. Separately, the molar mass of the sample was found to be 144.22 g/mol. Determine the empirical formula, molecular formula, and identity of the sample.

The empirical formula is C 4 H 8 O, and the molecular formula is (C 4 H 8 O) 2 or C 8 H 16 O 2 . Possible compounds with this molecular formula are shown in ( [link] ).

Structure of possible compounds with the molecular formula C 8 H 16 O 2 : (a) octanoic acid (caprylic acid), (b) hexyl acetate, (c) pentyl proponate, (d) 2-ethyl hexanoic acid, (e) valproic acid (VPA), (f) cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM), and (g) 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutandiol (CBDO).
Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Binary compounds

By using combustion analysis, the chemical formula of a binary compound containing oxygen can also be determined. This is particularly helpful in the case of combustion of a metal which can result in potential oxides of multiple oxidation states.

A sample of iron weighing 1.7480 g is combusted in the presence of excess oxygen. A metal oxide (Fe x O y ) is formed with a mass of 2.4982 g. Determine the chemical formula of the oxide product and the oxidation state of Fe.

Step 1 : Subtract the mass of Fe from the mass of the oxide to determine the mass of oxygen in the product.

Step 2 : Using the molar masses of Fe and O, calculate the molar amounts of each element.

Step 3 : Divide the larger molar amount by the smaller molar amount. In some cases, the ratio is not made up of two integers. Convert the numerator of the ratio to an improper fraction and rewrite the ratio in whole numbers as shown.

Therefore, the chemical formula of the oxide is Fe 2 O 3 , and Fe has a 3+ oxidation state.

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

A sample of copper weighing 7.295 g is combusted in the presence of excess oxygen. A metal oxide (Cu x O y ) is formed with a mass of 8.2131 g. Determine the chemical formula of the oxide product and the oxidation state of Cu.

The chemical formula is Cu 2 O, and Cu has a 1+ oxidation state.

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Bibliography

  • J. A. Dumas, Ann. Chem. Pharm. , 1841, 38 , 141.
  • H. Goldwhite, J. Chem. Edu. , 1978, 55 , 366.
  • A. Lavoisier, Traité Élémentaire de Chimie , 1789, 2 , 493.
  • J. Von Liebig, Annalen der Physik und Chemie , 1831, 21 , 1.
  • A. Linan and F. A. Williams, Fundamental Aspects of Combustion , Oxford University Press, New York (1993).
  • J. M. McBride, "Combustion Analysis," Chemistry 125 , Yale University,<http://www.chem.yale.edu/~chem125/125/history99/4RadicalsTypes/Analysis/Liebiganal.html>.
  • W. Prout, Philos. T. R. Soc. Lond. , 1827, 117 , 355.
  • D. Shriver and P. Atkins, Inorganic Chemistry , 5 th Ed., W. H. Freeman and Co., New York (2009).
  • W. Vining et. al., General Chemistry , 1 st Ed., Cengage, Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning , University of Massachusetts Amherst (2014).
  • J. Warnatz, U. Maas, and R. W. Dibble, Combustion: Physical and Chemical Fundamentals, Modeling and Simulation, Experiments, Pollutant Formation , 3 rd Ed., Springer, Berlin (2001).

Questions & Answers

how does Neisseria cause meningitis
Nyibol Reply
what is microbiologist
Muhammad Reply
what is errata
Muhammad
is the branch of biology that deals with the study of microorganisms.
Ntefuni Reply
What is microbiology
Mercy Reply
studies of microbes
Louisiaste
when we takee the specimen which lumbar,spin,
Ziyad Reply
How bacteria create energy to survive?
Muhamad Reply
Bacteria doesn't produce energy they are dependent upon their substrate in case of lack of nutrients they are able to make spores which helps them to sustain in harsh environments
_Adnan
But not all bacteria make spores, l mean Eukaryotic cells have Mitochondria which acts as powerhouse for them, since bacteria don't have it, what is the substitution for it?
Muhamad
they make spores
Louisiaste
what is sporadic nd endemic, epidemic
Aminu Reply
the significance of food webs for disease transmission
Abreham
food webs brings about an infection as an individual depends on number of diseased foods or carriers dully.
Mark
explain assimilatory nitrate reduction
Esinniobiwa Reply
Assimilatory nitrate reduction is a process that occurs in some microorganisms, such as bacteria and archaea, in which nitrate (NO3-) is reduced to nitrite (NO2-), and then further reduced to ammonia (NH3).
Elkana
This process is called assimilatory nitrate reduction because the nitrogen that is produced is incorporated in the cells of microorganisms where it can be used in the synthesis of amino acids and other nitrogen products
Elkana
Examples of thermophilic organisms
Shu Reply
Give Examples of thermophilic organisms
Shu
advantages of normal Flora to the host
Micheal Reply
Prevent foreign microbes to the host
Abubakar
they provide healthier benefits to their hosts
ayesha
They are friends to host only when Host immune system is strong and become enemies when the host immune system is weakened . very bad relationship!
Mark
what is cell
faisal Reply
cell is the smallest unit of life
Fauziya
cell is the smallest unit of life
Akanni
ok
Innocent
cell is the structural and functional unit of life
Hasan
is the fundamental units of Life
Musa
what are emergency diseases
Micheal Reply
There are nothing like emergency disease but there are some common medical emergency which can occur simultaneously like Bleeding,heart attack,Breathing difficulties,severe pain heart stock.Hope you will get my point .Have a nice day ❣️
_Adnan
define infection ,prevention and control
Innocent
I think infection prevention and control is the avoidance of all things we do that gives out break of infections and promotion of health practices that promote life
Lubega
Heyy Lubega hussein where are u from?
_Adnan
en français
Adama
which site have a normal flora
ESTHER Reply
Many sites of the body have it Skin Nasal cavity Oral cavity Gastro intestinal tract
Safaa
skin
Asiina
skin,Oral,Nasal,GIt
Sadik
How can Commensal can Bacteria change into pathogen?
Sadik
How can Commensal Bacteria change into pathogen?
Sadik
all
Tesfaye
by fussion
Asiina
what are the advantages of normal Flora to the host
Micheal
what are the ways of control and prevention of nosocomial infection in the hospital
Micheal
what is inflammation
Shelly Reply
part of a tissue or an organ being wounded or bruised.
Wilfred
what term is used to name and classify microorganisms?
Micheal Reply
Binomial nomenclature
adeolu
Got questions? Join the online conversation and get instant answers!
Jobilize.com Reply

Get Jobilize Job Search Mobile App in your pocket Now!

Get it on Google Play Download on the App Store Now




Source:  OpenStax, Physical methods in chemistry and nano science. OpenStax CNX. May 05, 2015 Download for free at http://legacy.cnx.org/content/col10699/1.21
Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.

Notification Switch

Would you like to follow the 'Physical methods in chemistry and nano science' conversation and receive update notifications?

Ask