On analysis, a compound with molar mass 60g/mol was found to contain 12g of carbon, 2g of hydrogen and 16g of oxygen. What is the molecular formula of the compound? (no calc.)
I've been struggling for about an hour now trying to find a way to do this problem without my calculator but....I don't understand it at all...can someone please help, it'll be greatly appreciated :)
I've been struggling for about an hour now trying to find a way to do this problem without my calculator but....I don't understand it at all...can someone please help, it'll be greatly appreciated :)
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12g carbon is about 1 mole of carbon; 2g of H is about 2 moles and 16g O is about one mole. So the ratio is CH2O--> the molecular weight of this molecule is 30g/mole, so you divide 60/30 to find how many times you must multiple your emperical formula. the answer is 2 times the above, so it is C2H4O2.