Practice question

Given: A hydrocarbon on combustion yields 17.6 g of CO₂ and 7.2 g of H₂O. What is its empirical formula? (Atomic masses: C = 12, H = 1, O = 16) Formula: Mass of C = (12 / 44) × 17.6 = 4.8 g. Substitution & Calculation: Mass of H = (2 / 18) × 7.2 = 0.8 g. Moles: C = 4.8 / 12 = 0.4, H = 0.8 / 1 = 0.8. Ratio: 0.4 / 0.4 : 0.8 / 0.4 = 1 : 2. Empirical formula = CH₂. Final Result: The computed value matches expected outcome and confirms correct choice as per latest NCERT 2026-27.