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Topic: Find the empirical formula of unknown compound.  (Read 3811 times)

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atomazing

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Find the empirical formula of unknown compound.
« on: September 17, 2005, 06:12:08 PM »
A compound contains only C, H, and N. Combustion of 38.2 mg of the compound produces 36.5 mg CO2 and 44.8 mg H2O. What is the empirical formula of the compound?


I have attempted this many times and do not understand how the compound can contain only C, H, and N, and not have any N in the resulting products? I have calculated the moles of Co2 and H2O but don't understand how this converts to the unknown compound.

Offline Borek

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Re:Find the empirical formula of unknown compound.
« Reply #1 on: September 17, 2005, 06:38:19 PM »
You have to find out amount of carbon and hydrogen in the sample - what is left is nitrogen. CO2 and H2O are easy to catch and analyze, nitrogen often ends as N2 and as such is almost completely inert.
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