A compound has an empirical formula of CH₂O. An independent analysis gave a value of 150.13 g for its molar mass. What is the molecular formula of the compound?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The molecular formula is a multiple of the empirical formula. The molar mass of the empirical formula is (12 + 2 + 16) g/mol = 30 g/mol. The molecular formula is therefore a multiple of CH2O by a factor of 5, which gives C5H10O5.

A Compound Has an Empirical Formula of CH2O

A Compound Has an Empirical Formula of CH₂O