Question
Chemistry Question on Hydrocarbons
10 mL of gaseous hydrocarbon on combustion gives 40 mL of CO2(g) and 50 mL of water vapour. The total number of carbon and hydrogen atoms in the hydrocarbon is ______ .
Answer
Let the formula of the hydrocarbon be CxHy. On complete combustion, the reaction can be represented as:
CxHy+(x+4y)O2→xCO2+2yH2O
Step-by-step Calculation:
According to the given data, 10 mL of hydrocarbon produces 40 mL of CO2 and 50 mL of water vapor (H2O).
From the stoichiometry of the reaction:
x×10mL=40mL⟹x=4
Similarly, for water:
2y×10mL=50mL⟹y=10
Therefore, the hydrocarbon is C4H10.
Total number of carbon and hydrogen atoms:
Total atoms=x+y=4+10=14
Conclusion: The total number of carbon and hydrogen atoms in the hydrocarbon is 14.