Question

A compound has a molecular weight of 12.124 atomic mass units and the empirical formula C3H40. What is the molecular formula of the
compound?

Answer 1

Answer:

the empirical formula gives the simplest ratio of whole numbers of components in the compound. Molecular formula gives the actual composition of elements in the compound.

Explanation:

empirical formula - CH₂O

Mass of one empirical unit = 12 + (1x2) + 16 = 30 a.m.u

We have to next calculate how many empirical units make up the molecular formula. For that we have to divide molecular mass by mass of one empirical unit.

Number of empirical units = 180 a.m.u / 30 = 6

There are 6 empirical units 

Therefore molecular formula = 6 x(CH₂O) = C₆H₁₂O₆

Molecular formula = C₆H₁₂O₆