1.34 A welding fuel gas contains carbon and hydrogen only. Burning a small sample of it in oxygen gives 3.38 g carbon dioxide, 0.690 g of water, and no other products. A volume of 10.0 L (measured at STP) of this welding gas is found to weigh 11.6 g. Calculate

(i) empirical formula,
(ii) molar mass of the gas, and
(iii) molecular formula.

(i) 1 mole (44 g) of CO2 contains 12 g of carbon.
 3.38 g of CO2 will contain carbon = 12 g44 g x 3.38 g
= 0.9217 g

18 g of water contains 2 g of hydrogen.
 0.690 g of water will contain hydrogen = 2 g18 g x 0.690
= 0.0767 g

Since carbon and hydrogen are the only constituents of the compound, the total mass of the compound is:
= 0.9217 g + 0.0767 g
= 0.9984 g
 Percent of C in the compound = 0.9217 g0.9984 g x 100
= 92.32%

Percent of H in the compound = 0.0767g0.9984g x 100
= 7.68%
Moles of carbon in the compound = 92.3212.00
= 7.69
Moles of hydrogen in the compound = 7.681
= 7.68
 Ratio of carbon to hydrogen in the compound = 7.69: 7.68 = 1: 1

Hence, the empirical formula of the gas is CH.

(ii) Given,
Weight of 10.0L of the gas (at S.T.P) = 11.6 g
 Weight of 22.4 L of gas at STP = 11.6g10.0L x 22.4 L
= 25.984 g
≈ 26 g
Hence, the molar mass of the gas is 26 g.

(iii) Empirical formula mass of CH = 12 + 1 = 13 g

n = Molar mass of gasEmpirical formula mass of gas
= 26g13g
n = 2
 Molecular formula of gas = (CH)n
= C2H2