Question

What is the molecular formula for the compound with a formula mass of 58.12 amu and an empirical formula of C₂H₅?

a) C₂H₅
b) C₄H₁₀
c) C₆H₁₅
d) C₈H₂₀

Answer 1

The molecular formula for a compound with a formula mass of
`58.12 amu` and an empirical formula of
`C2H5 is C4H10`. This is found by calculating the empirical formula mass and dividing the given formula mass by this number, then multiplying the empirical formula by the resulting factor,
`2`.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question is aiming to determine the molecular formula for a compound given its empirical formula and formula mass. The empirical formula provided is
`C2H5` , and the formula mass is
`58.12 amu` . First calculate the mass of the empirical formula,

which is
`(2 × 12.01 amu) + (5 × 1.008 amu) = 29.04 amu` .

Next, divide the given formula mass by the empirical formula mass:

`58.12 amu / 29.04 amu = 2`.

hus, the molecular formula is found by multiplying the empirical formula by this factor yielding (C2H5)2 or C4H10. Therefore, the molecular formula for the compound is C4H10.