A substance is analyzed and found to have an empirical formula of CH2 and a molar mass of 56g/mole. What is the molecular formula of the compound?

A. C2H4
B. C3H6
C. C4H8
D. C5H1

¨       The empirical formula of the compound is CH2, which represents the simplest whole-number ratio of carbon and hydrogen atoms in the compound. To determine the molecular formula, we need to know the molar mass of the compound.

¨       The molar mass of the empirical formula CH2 is:

¨       (1 × 12.01 g/mol) + (2 × 1.01 g/mol) = 14.03 g/mol

¨       The given molar mass of the compound is 56 g/mol, which is exactly four times the molar mass of the empirical formula. This means that the molecular formula of the compound must be four times the empirical formula.

¨       The molecular formula of the compound can be found by multiplying the subscripts in the empirical formula by 4: So,      CH2 × 4 = C4H8

¨       Therefore, the molecular formula of the compound is (C) C4H8



Submitted by :- Jamil Ahmed

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