What is the empirical formula for the hydrocarbon?

Question

Complete combustion of  g of a hydrocarbon produced  g of CO2 and  g of H2O. Insert subscripts as necessary.

Answer 1

Are any values provided for the mass of reactants and products?

Combustion of a hydrocarbon takes the form of the fuel and oxygen combining, in an exothermic reaction, to produce carbon dioxide and water.

The simplest hydrocarbon, methane (CH4), has this reaction:

CH₄ + 2O₂ → CO₂ + 2H₂O

More complex hydrocarbons will produce differing amounts, depending on the hydrocarbon. Combustion of hexane produces a different balanced reaction:

2C6H4 + 19O2 = 12CO2 + 14H2O

One needs to know the amounts consumed and produced to calculate the empirical formula.

Bob