Question

The main constituent of gallstones is cholesterol. Cholesterol may have a role in heart attacks and blood clot formation. Its elemental percentage composition is 83.87% C, 11.99% H, and 4.14% O. It has a molecular weight of 386.64 amu. Calculate its empirical and molecular formulas.

Answer 1

The main constituent of gallstones is cholesterol. Cholesterol may have a role in heart attacks and blood clot formation. Its elemental percentage composition is 83.87% C, 11.99% H, and 4.14% O. It has a molecular weight of 386.64 amu. Empirical formula is C₃H₄O₁ and Molecular formula is 7(C₃H₄O₁).

What is Empirical Formula ?

Empirical formula is the simplest whole number ratio of atoms present in given compound.

Element   %   Atomic mass   Relative no. of atoms  Simplest whole ratio

C            83.87       12                     $\frac{83.87}{12}$ = 6.98                   $\frac{6.98}{0.25}$ = 3

H            11.99         1                       $\frac{11.99}{1}$ = 11.09                  $\frac{11.09}{0.25}$ = 4

O            4.14          16                      $\frac{4.14}{16}$ = 0.25                    $\frac{0.25}{0.25}$ = 1

Thus the empirical formula is C₃H₄O₁.

How to find the Molecular formula of compound ?

Molecular formula = Empirical formula × n

n = $\frac{\text{Molecular weight}}{\text{Empirical formula weight}}$

  = $\frac{386.64}{56}$

  = 7

Molecular formula = Empirical formula × n

                               = 7 (C₃H₄O₁)

Thus from the above conclusion we can say that The main constituent of gallstones is cholesterol. Cholesterol may have a role in heart attacks and blood clot formation. Its elemental percentage composition is 83.87% C, 11.99% H, and 4.14% O. It has a molecular weight of 386.64 amu. Empirical formula is C₃H₄O₁ and Molecular formula is 7(C₃H₄O₁).

Learn more about the Empirical Formula here: brainly.com/question/1603500

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