
Answer:
PbC(8)H(20)
Explanation:
51.36g of the leaded gasoline when combusted yielded 55.90 CO2 and 28.61 H2O,
Fraction of carbon in the sample = molecular mass of carbon / molecular mass of CO2* mass of CO2 produced = 12.0107/ 44.01 * 55.90 = 15.26 g
Similarly,
Mass of hydrogen present in the sample = molecular mass of hydrogen/ molecular mass of water * Mass of water produced = 2(1.00784)/18.0153 *28.61 = 3.201
The mass of the compound was 51.36, mass of lead present in the sample = total mass of the sample - (mass of carbon + mass of hydrogen) = 51.36 - (15.26+3.201) = 32.899
To find the mole ratio of the substances in the compound, lead = mass of lead / molecular mass of lead = 32.899/ 207.2 = 0.159
Carbon = 15.26/12.0107 = 1.271
Hydrogen = 3.201/ 1.00784 = 3.1761
Divide each mole by the smallest mole to find the mole ratio
Lead = 0.159/0.159 =1
Carbon = 1.271/0.159 = 7.994 approx 8
Hydrogen = 3.1761/0.159 = 19.975approx 20
Therefore the empirical formula which is different from the molecular because it is the simplest form of the substance is equal to PbC8H20