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a compound has an empirical formula of c3h6o and a molar mass of 116 g/mol. what is the molecular formula?

User JayM
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1 Answer

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Answer:

Step by step explanation:

To determine the molecular formula of the compound, we need to find its molecular weight or molar mass. We can start by calculating the empirical formula's molar mass:

Empirical molar mass = (3C x Atomic mass of C) + (6H x Atomic mass of H) + (1O x Atomic mass of O)
Empirical molar mass = (3 x 12.01 g/mol) + (6 x 1.01 g/mol) + (1 x 16.00 g/mol) = 58.11 g/mol

We can then calculate the compound's molecular formula by dividing its molar mass by the empirical molar mass and multiplying the empirical formula's subscripts by the result:

Molecular formula = (Empirical formula) x (Molar mass of compound / Empirical molar mass)

Molecular formula = C3H6O x (116 g/mol / 58.11 g/mol) = C6H12O2

Therefore, the molecular formula of the compound is C6H12O2.
User Tim Dowty
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