How do you calculate empirical formula of a combustion?

1 Answer
anor277
Jul 27, 2016

You might want rephrase this question.

Explanation:

Empirical formula are generally determined by combustion reactions. An accurate mass of hydrocarbon #C_nH_mN_nO_o# is dropped into a furnace. The combustion products. #CO_2#, #H_2O#, #NO_2# are shunted to a gas chromatograph. Their concentrations are compared to a standard, and a very accurate percentage composition with respect to #C#, #H#, #N#, may be determined.

Given these percentages, an empirical formula may be calculated. If the molecular mass is known or has been determined in a separate experiment, the molecular formula of the compound is thus available.

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