Combustion analysis can be used to find the composition by mass of compounds.This involves the complete combustion in oxygen of a sample of known mass.If an element is reacted with oxygen an oxide is formed. The mass of the element can be subtracted from the mass of the oxide to find the mass of oxygen reacted.
If an organic compound is burnt, all the carbon in the sample is converted to carbon dioxide and all the hydrogen to water.The carbon dioxide and water are carefully collected and weighed. If oxygen is present the mass is found by subtraction.
If an organic compound is burnt, all the carbon in the sample is converted to carbon dioxide and all the hydrogen to water.The carbon dioxide and water are carefully collected and weighed. If oxygen is present the mass is found by subtraction.