Answer:
The empirical formula is: CH2
Th powder is not vainillin
Explanation:
We can find empirical formula of a compound CₐHₓOₙ knowing that moles CO2 = Moles C, 2 Moles H2O = Moles H and that we can find the mass of oxygen by the difference of masses of the atoms:
<em>Moles C = Moles CO2 -Molar mass: 44.01g/mol-</em>
5.875g * (1mol/44.01g) = 0.1335 moles C * (12.01g/mol) = 1.60gC
<em>Moles H2O and moles H -Molar mass: 18.01g/mol-</em>
2.41g H2O * (1mol / 18.01g) = 0.1339 moles H2O * (2mol H / 1mol H2O) =
0.2676 moles H * (1g/mol) = 0.27g H
<em> </em>
The empirical formula of this compound is the ratio of C:H:
0.2676 moles H / 0.1335 moles C = 2
The empirical formula is:
CH2
In vainillin, the moles of Carbon = Moles of Hydrogen. the experiment shows the moles of hydrogen are twice the moles of carbon. Thus, the powder is not vainillin
