[Chasea14]

A large tank of a fuel is discovered in a suspect’s basement.  Forensic scientist # 2 analyzes one mole of the hydrocarbon and finds that it contains 48.0 g of carbon and 8 moles of H atoms. Molecular formula

[Orcio_87]

1. Calculate number of carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon.
2. Number of hydrogen atoms is known ( 8 ).

[emifarmer]

If you have 48 g of carbon it means that there are 4 moles of carbon. You also have 8 moles of hydrogen. That means that for EVERY MOLE of carbon there are TWO of hydrogen. The molecular formula is CH2 (methylene).

[Babcock_Hall]

Chelsea,

It is a forum rule that you show your work before we can help you.

[Orcio_87]

If you have 48 g of carbon it means that there are 4 moles of carbon. You also have 8 moles of hydrogen. That means that for EVERY MOLE of carbon there are TWO of hydrogen. The molecular formula is CH2 (methylene).

And where do you have 4 moles of carbon and 8 moles of hydrogen in 1 mole of CH₂

[emifarmer]

If you have 48 g of carbon it means that there are 4 moles of carbon. You also have 8 moles of hydrogen. That means that for EVERY MOLE of carbon there are TWO of hydrogen. The molecular formula is CH2 (methylene).

And where do you have 4 moles of carbon and 8 moles of hydrogen in 1 mole of CH₂

You're right. My bad

[rjb]

Not to worry,

Chasea14 (like so many) never bothered to return to the forum after posting the question, so I guess s/he will never know either way. Is it wrong of me to feel a little bit embittered when that happens? I do find myself feeling slightly annoyed on your collective behalf that 3 of you took the time to respond and the OP never bothered to follow up - Perhaps I'm just becoming a misery in my old age!

R

[Borek]

If you have 48 g of carbon it means that there are 4 moles of carbon. You also have 8 moles of hydrogen. That means that for EVERY MOLE of carbon there are TWO of hydrogen. The molecular formula is CH2 (methylene).

And where do you have 4 moles of carbon and 8 moles of hydrogen in 1 mole of CH₂

The answer given (against forum rules) would be OK if CH₂ was called an empirical formula, not molecular one.