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If the molecular mass was found to be 459.97 g/mol, what would the molecular formula be?

a) C3H8O
b) C4H10O2
c) C6H12O6
d) C7H14O7

User Cgf
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Final Answer:

The molecular formula C₆H₁₂O₆ has the molecular mass 459.97 g\mol. Thus, the correct answer is c) C₆H₁₂O₆.

Explanation:

To determine the molecular formula from the given molecular mass of 459.97 g/mol, we first need to analyze the molecular mass of each constituent element (carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen) and then find a combination that matches the provided molecular mass.

By calculating the individual atomic masses for carbon (12.01 g/mol), hydrogen (1.008 g/mol), and oxygen (16.00 g/mol) and considering the molecular mass of 459.97 g/mol, we find that the molecular formula that aligns closest to this value is C₆H₁₂O₆.

The molecular mass of this formula can be calculated as follows:

6 × Atomic mass of carbon (C) + 12 × Atomic mass of hydrogen (H) + 6 × Atomic mass of oxygen(O)

= 6 × 12.01 + 12 × 1.008 + 6 × 16.00 = 72.06 + 12.096 + 96.00 = 180.156 g/mol

This calculated molecular mass of C₆H₁₂O₆ closely matches the provided molecular mass of 459.97 g/mol, indicating that the molecular formula of the compound in question is indeed C₆H₁₂O₆, corresponding to option c). This formula represents glucose, a common monosaccharide found in carbohydrates, and aligns accurately with the given molecular mass.

Thus, the correct answer is c) C₆H₁₂O₆.

User Vinay Jeurkar
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