Whats the empirical formula of C10H22?

1 Answer
Mar 22, 2018

#C_5H_11#

Explanation:

We have decane, the alkane with a chemical formula of #C_10H_22#.

The empirical formula of a substance has the smallest ratio between the elements its composed of.

Here, we got the carbon to hydrogen ratio as #10:22#. So, we need to find the greatest common factor between the two numbers.

#10=2xx5#

#22=2xx11#

As you can see here, the greatest common factor between the two numbers is #2#, and so we divide both numbers by #2#.

#10/2=5#

#22/2=11#

And so, the new formula becomes #C_5H_11#.