Question

What is the molecular formula of a component whose molar mass is 88.0 and whose percent composted is 9.1

Answer 1

The molecular formula : C₄H₈O₂

Further explanation

Maybe a compound is 54.5% carbon, 9.1% hydrogen and 36.4% oxygen,so :

mol C :

$\tt \dfrac{54.5}{12}=4.54$

mol H :

$\tt \dfrac{9.1}{1}=9.1$

mol O :

$\tt \dfrac{36.4}{16}=2.28$

Divide by 2.28(the smallest ratio) :

C H : O =

$\tt \dfrac{4.54}{2.28}\div \dfrac{9.1}{2.28}\div \dfrac{2.28}{2.28}=2\div 4\div 1$

The empirical formula : C₂H₄O

(The empirical formula)n=molecular formula

(2.12+4.1+16)n=88

(44)n=88⇒n=2