Question

The empirical formula of a compound is determined to be CH2O, and its molecular mass is found to be 90.087 g/mol. Determine the molecular formula of the compound, showing your work.

Answer 1

molecular formula = C₃H₆O₃

Step-by-step explanation:

The empirical formula is the simplest formula of a compound obtained by converting the moles of each atom to the simplest ratio.

In order to determine the molecular formula we will first calculate the empirical formula mass of compound.

Empirical formula mass = mass of C + 2 X mass of hydrogen + mass of O

Empirical formula mass = 12 + 2 +16 = 30

given molecular mass = 90.087

Let us divide the molecular mass by Empirical formula mass

ratio = 90.087 / 30 = 3 (approx)

Thus the molecular formula = 3 X empirical formula of compound

molecular formula = 3 (CH₂O)

molecular formula = C₃H₆O₃

Answer 2

To find the molecular formula of the compound, we get the molar mass of empirical formula CH2o which is 30 g/mol. We divided  the molecular mass of 90.087 g/mol by 30, we get 3. Hence, we multiply each element by 3, getting the molecular formula of C3H6O3.