Licopene, a red pigment found in tomatoes, has the empirical formula C₅H₇, and its molecular mass is found to be approximately 537 amu.How many empirical units are in the actual molecular formula?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The empirical formula mass of C5H7 is 67 amu (5*12 + 7*1). The molecular mass of lycopene is 537 amu. Dividing the molecular mass by the empirical formula mass gives 537/67 = 8, indicating there are 8 empirical units in the molecular formula.

Licopene, a Red Pigment Found in Tomatoes, Has the Empirical