The following diagram represents the collection of CO2 and H2O molecules formed by complete combustion of a hydrocarbon. (Figure 1) What is the empirical formula of the hydrocarbon? Express your answer as a chemical formula.

the answer is A + B --------------> CO2  + H2O since it is combustion,  so B must be O2 A + O2 --------------> CO2  + H2O the form of A is A=CxHy the number of C is 1 (CO2) the numer of H is 2  (H2O) the balanced equation is CH4 + 2O2 -----> CO2 + 2H2O the empirical formula is CH4