Question

What is the pseudoformula of ascorbic acid, given that ascorbic acid contains 3.407 molmol of carbon, 4.53 molmol of hydrogen, and 3.406 molmol of oxygen

Answer 1

C₃H₄O₃

Step-by-step explanation:

From the question given above, the following data were obtained:

Mole of carbon (C) = 3.407 mol

Mole of Hydrogen (H) = 4.53 mol

Mole of oxygen (O) = 3.406 mol

pseudoformula of ascorbic acid =?

The pseudoformula of ascorbic acid can be obtained as follow:

C = 3.407 mol

H = 4.53 mol

O = 3.406 mol

Divide by the smallest:

C = 3.407 / 3.406 = 1

H = 4.53 / 3.406 = 1.33

O = 3.406 / 3.406 = 1

Multiply through by 3 to express in whole number

C = 1 × 3 = 3

H = 1.33 × 3 = 4

O = 1 × 3 = 3

Therefore, the pseudoformula of ascorbic acid is C₃H₄O₃