Question
Question: A hydrocarbon contains \(75%\) of carbon. Then its molecular formula is: A.\(C{{H}_{4}}\) B.\({...
A hydrocarbon contains 75 of carbon. Then its molecular formula is:
A.CH4
B.C2H4
C.C2H6
D.C2H2
Solution
Before talking about the answer, you should know about hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons is an organic compound that consists of hydrogen and carbons. You should also know about the formula to calculate the number of moles. Moles are defined as a unit which can be calculated by weight per molar mass. Molar mass is defined as the addition of atomic masses of each element.
Formula used: n=Mw
Where, n is the number of moles in a compound
w is defined as the weight of the compound
M is the molar mass of the compound.
Complete answer:
Let us assume that the weight of the unknown sample is 100g where it is given that , the carbon 75 and the hydrogen is 25 which is equal to 100
Hence, the weight of carbon is 75g
And weight of hydrogen is 25g
Since, the chemical formula deals with the number of moles not with weight in grams. Therefore, you have to convert each element by multiplying with element of their respective atomic masses.
The atomic mass of carbon is 12g
The atomic mass of hydrogen is 1g
Now, you have to calculate the moles of carbon and hydrogen
n=Mw
Where, n is the number of moles in a compound
w is the weight of the compound
M is the molar mass of the compound
Now, on substituting the values in the above formula we get
Moles of carbon =1275=6.25mol
Moles of hydrogen =125=25mol
Now, you can see that every 6.25molC=25molH
Now, let us divide both the sides with the smallest number of moles which is carbon having 6.25g
C=6.256.25=1
H=6.2525=4
Therefore, the molecular formula is C1H4 that is CH4
So, the correct option is (A).
Additional information
Methane is defined as the main constituent of the natural gas, and it is the simplest alkane. Methane is used as fuels for automobiles, homes.
Note:
The unit of molar mass and weight is taken in grams.
To calculate the number of moles, you should know the atomic masses of carbon and hydrogen.
Molecular formula is defined as the kind of atoms and number of each atom present in a molecule.