Answer:
C₆H₈O₆
Explanation:
From the question given above, the following data were obtained:
Percentage of Carbon (C) = 40.9%
Percentage of Hydrogen (H) = 4.58%
Percentage of Oxygen (O) = 54.5%
Molecular mass of compound = 176.1 g/mol
Molecular formula of Ascorbic acid =.?
Next, we shall determine the empirical formula for the compound. This can be obtained as follow:
C = 40.9%
H = 4.58%
O = 54.5%
Divide by their molar mass
C = 40.9 / 12 = 3.41
H = 4.58 / 1 = 4.58
O = 54.5 / 16 = 3.41
Divide by the smallest
C = 3.408 / 3.41 = 1
H = 4.58 / 3.41 = 1.3
O = 3.406 / 3.41 = 1
Multiply by 3 to express in whole number
C = 1 × 3 = 3
H = 1.3 × 3 = 4
O = 1 × 3 = 3
Empirical formula for the compound is C₃H₄O₃
Finally, we shall determine the molecular formula of the compound. This can be obtained as follow:
Molecular mass of compound = 176.1 g/mol
Empirical formula => C₃H₄O₃
Molecular formula =?
Molecular formula => [C₃H₄O₃]ₙ
[C₃H₄O₃]ₙ = 176.1
[(12×3) + (1×4) + (16×3)]n = 176.1
[36 + 4 + 48]n = 176.1
88n = 176.1
Divide both side by 88
n = 176.1 / 88
n = 2
Molecular formula => [C₃H₄O₃]ₙ
Molecular formula => [C₃H₄O₃]₂
Molecular formula => C₆H₈O₆
Thus, the molecular formula for Ascorbic acid is C₆H₈O₆
