Chapter 10, Problem 96A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The empirical formula of the given compound needs to be calculated.

Concept Introduction: For any compound, the empirical formula shows the simplest ratio of atoms of different elements present in the compound.

Explanation of Solution

According to the question, the given compound has three times as many hydrogen atoms as carbon atoms.

Let the number of carbon atoms in the compound be x thus, the number of hydrogen atoms will be 3x . Also, the compound has only half as many oxygen atoms as carbon atoms; thus, the number of oxygen atoms will be $\frac{x}{2}$ .

Taking the simplest ratio to determine the empirical formula. Consider the value of x is equal to 1 to calculate the simplest ratio. Thus, the number of hydrogen atoms will be 3 and that of oxygen atoms will be ½.

The empirical formula can be determined as follows:

  $\begin{array}{c}\text{C}:\text{H}:\text{O}=1:3:\frac{1}{2}\\ =2:6:1\end{array}$

Therefore, the empirical formula of the compound is ${\text{C}}_2{\text{H}}_6{\text{O}}_1$ .