The material Styrofoam is made by blowing a gas into the polymer polystyrene made from styrene. Styrene has the percent composition of C 92.26% and H 7.74% and 1.41 × 10²² molecules weigh 2.44 grams. What is the molecular formula for styrene?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The molar mass of styrene can be calculated using the given weight and number of molecules. Using Avogadro's number, the molar mass is approximately 104 g/mol. The empirical formula based on the percent composition is CH, and the molecular formula is C₈H₈ as it matches the calculated molar mass.

The Material Styrofoam Is Made by Blowing a Gas into the Polymer