Answer:
The empirical formula is C2H3
Explanation:
Step 1: Data given
Mass of CO2 = 33.01 grams
Molar mass of CO2 = 44.01 g/mol
Mass of H2O = 10.15 grams
Molar mass of H2O = 18.02 g/mol
Step 2: Calculate moles CO2
Moles CO2 = mass CO2 / molar mass CO2
Moles CO2 = 33.01 grams / 44.01 g/mol
Moles CO2 = 0.7501 moles
Step 3: Calculate moles C
In 1 mol CO2 we have 1 mol C
In 0.7501 moles CO2 we have 0.7501 moles C
Step 4: Calculate moles H2O
Moles H2O = 10.15 grams / 18.02 g/mol
Moles H2O = 0.5633 moles
Step 5 Calculate moles H
In 1 mol H2O we have 2 moles H
In 0.5633 moles H2O we have 2*0.5633 moles = 1.1266 moles
Step 6: Calculate the mol ratio
We divide by the smallest amount of moles
C: 0.7501 moles / 0.7501 moles = 1
H: 1.1266 moles / 0.7501 moles = 1.5
For each C atom we have 1.5 H atoms OR for each 2 C atoms we have 3 H atoms
The empirical formula is C2H3