Hi everyone, I'm having trouble understanding how to solve this question and looking at the mark scheme confuses me even more lol. If anyone could explain how to tackle this question as well as the reasoning behind it, it would be great thanks.
Compound L (Mr = 88.0) contains carbon, hydrogen and oxygen only.
A 6.56 × 10–4 mol sample of L burns completely in air to form 2.62 × 10–3 mol of
water and 2.62 × 10–3 mol of carbon dioxide.
Deduce the formula of L.
Show your working.
M1 (2.62x10^-3)/(6.56x10^-4) = 4 or (6.56x10^-4)/(2.62x10^-3) = 0.25
M2 Hence 4CO2 + 4H2O
M3 So 4C and 8H in L
M4 Hence 2O so C4H8O2
C3H4O3 scores 1 if no other mark scored
Alternative method
M1
nH in L = 5.24 × 10-3
Hence mass H = 5.24 × 10-3 g
M2
n C in L = 2.62 × 10-3
Hence mass C = 2.62 × 10-3 × 12
= 3.144 × 10-2 g
M3
Mass L = 6.56 × 10-4 × 88
= 0.057728 g
Mass O = 0.057728 - ( 5.24 × 10-3 + 3.144 × 10-2)
= 0.021048 g
M4
nO = 0.021048 / 16
= 1.3155 × 10-3
MF = (88/44) x C2H4O
= C4H8O2
C3H4O3 scores 1 if no other mark scored