Final answer:
The molecular formula of glucose can be determined by dividing its molecular weight (180.2 g/mol) by the molecular weight of its empirical formula (CH₂O, 30.02 g/mol). We find the factor to be approximately 6, thus the molecular formula is C₆H₁₂0₆.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks for the molecular formula of glucose given its molecular weight and empirical formula. The empirical formula is CH₂O, which gives us a clue about the ratio of carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O) in the molecule. However, to find the molecular formula, we need to determine how many times the empirical formula must be multiplied to reach the actual molecular weight of glucose, which is 180.2 grams per mole.
To do this, we calculate the molecular weight of the empirical formula: the atomic mass of carbon (approximately 12.01 g/mol) plus twice the atomic mass of hydrogen (approximately 2 x 1.008 g/mol) plus the atomic mass of oxygen (approximately 16.00 g/mol). The total comes to roughly 30.02 g/mol for the empirical formula unit. Dividing the actual molecular weight of glucose (180.2 g/mol) by the molecular weight of the empirical formula (30.02 g/mol) gives us approximately 6. Therefore, you multiply the empirical formula by 6 to get the molecular formula.
The molecular formula of glucose is C₆H₁₂0₆, which indicates that a molecule of glucose contains 6 carbon atoms, 12 hydrogen atoms, and 6 oxygen atoms.