Question

A molecule made of hydrogen and carbon with Mr of 56 has the following composition: carbon 85.7%; hydrogen 14.3%. Calculate the molecular formula

Answer 1

Answer:

Assume that 100 grams of C2H4 is present. This means that there are 85.7 grams of carbon and 14.3 grams of hydrogen.

Convert these weights to moles of each element:

85.7 grams carbon/12 grams per mole = 7 moles of carbon.

14.3 grams hydrogen/1 gram per mole = 14 moles of hydrogen.

Divide by the lowest number of moles to obtain one mole of carbon and two moles of hydrogen.

Since we know that there cannot be a stable CH2 molecule, multiply by two and you have C2H4 which is ethylene - a known molecule.

The secret is to convert the percentages to moles and find the ration of the constituents.