Final answer:
Spectral data and a molecular formula allow us to determine the molecular weight and identify functional groups within a molecule. The formula itself does not directly determine the boiling point or color, which require additional physical data or experimental methods to establish.
Step-by-step explanation:
Given the molecular formula and spectral data, we can indeed determine a number of characteristics about a compound. Firstly, the molecular weight can be calculated from the molecular formula because it gives us the precise number and type of atoms in a molecule. Secondly, the functional groups present can be inferred from spectral data such as infrared (IR) spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and mass spectrometry (MS), which indicate specific structures within the molecule.
The color of a compound is not directly determined by the molecular formula or spectral data, although the presence of certain functional groups might suggest a range of possible colors for a compound. However, instrumental analysis does not usually provide color information. The boiling point can sometimes be estimated based on the molecular structure and intermolecular forces indicated by the spectral data, but direct determination of boiling point requires experimental data from physical measurements.
The answer to 'What is the difference between an empirical formula and a molecular formula?' is that an empirical formula gives the simplest whole-number ratio of elements in a compound, while a molecular formula gives the exact number of each type of atom in a molecule. To calculate a molecular formula from an empirical formula, you need to know the molar mass of the compound. The empirical formula mass provides information about the relative mass of the empirical formula's simplest unit. To derive the molecular formula, one must have both the empirical formula and the molecular or molar mass of the compound, which can be found using a mass spectrometer.