Answer to Question #173649 in General Chemistry for Talulah

Question

A compound has the empirical formula of C2H3O and a molar mass of 172g. What is it’s molecular formula

Answer 1

Empirical formula of the compound: $C_2H_3O$

Suppose, its molecular formula is $(C_2H_3O$ )n.

So, we can write the following equation to find out the value of n.

$n\times(2×12+3×1+16) = 172$

Or, 43n = 172

Or, n = $\dfrac{172}{43}$ =4

So, the molecular formula of the compound is $C_8H_{12}O_4$