A welding fuel gas contains carbon and hydrogen only. Burning a small sample of it in oxygen produces 3.38 g of carbon dioxide, 0.690 g of water, and no other products. A 10.0 L volume (measured at STP) of the gas is found to weigh 11.6 g. Based on this information, which of the following statements are correct?
(a) The empirical formula mass of the gas is 13 g/mol.
(b) The gas has a molecular formula of C3H6.
(c) The molecular formula of the gas is C2H2.
(d) The molar mass of the gas is 28 g/mol.
Options:
1. (a) and (b)
2. (a) and (c)
3. (a) and (d)
4. (b) and (d)

Hint: The molar volume of a gas at STP is 22.4 L/mol.

(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