Empirical Formula Chemistry Example 2

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Example 2

hard
A compound has empirical formula CH2O\text{CH}_2\text{O} and a molar mass of 180 g/mol180\,\text{g/mol}. Find the molecular formula.

Solution

  1. 1
    Empirical formula mass: 12.01+2(1.008)+16.00=30.03 g/mol12.01 + 2(1.008) + 16.00 = 30.03\,\text{g/mol}.
  2. 2
    Multiplier =18030.03=5.99≈6= \frac{180}{30.03} = 5.99 \approx 6.
  3. 3
    Molecular formula =(CH2O)6=C6H12O6= (\text{CH}_2\text{O})_6 = \text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6.

Answer

C6H12O6\text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6
The molecular formula is always a whole-number multiple of the empirical formula. Dividing the molar mass by the empirical formula mass gives this multiplier.

About Empirical Formula

The chemical formula that shows the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms of each element present in a compound, obtained by dividing all subscripts by their.

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