Question

A compound is 150.86 g carbon, 8.86 g hydrogen, and 20.10 g oxygen by

mass. It has a molecular weight of 286.28 g/mol. What is the molecular
formula for this compound?

Answer 1

C20 H14 O2

Step-by-step explanation:

Remark

This is a sample, which the question does not say and should. It is a fraction of 1 mole. So what you have to do is multiply the numbers given by x and equate it to 286.28

Equation

150,86* x + 8.86*x + 20.1*x = 286.28

179.8x = 286.28

x = 286.26/179.8

x = 1.592

Now multiply the given numbers by 1.592

150.86 * 1.592 = 240.58

8.85 * 1.592 = 14.1

20.1 * 1.592 = 32

Rounding you get

240/12 = 20

14.1/1 = 14

32/16 = 2

C20 H14 O2