Question #0ccb5

2 Answers
Jun 24, 2017

The empirical formula and molecular formulas are C2H4Cl2

Explanation:

First change the percentages to masses as if there are 100 grams then each 1 % = 1 gram.

4.07%H=4.07gH

24.27%C=24.27gC

71.65%Cl=71.65gCl

Second change the grams to moles by dividing by the g/mole

4.071=4moles H

24.2712=2 moles C

71.6535.4=2 moles Cl

Third change the ratio of moles to a whole number ratio ( done)

The empirical formula is C2H4Cl2

The molecular weight of this formula is
4 x H = 2 x 1 = 4

2 x C = 2 x 12 = 24

2 x Cl = 2 x 35.4 = 70.8

adding these together gives 98.8 approximately the same as
the molecular mass of the compound 98.96

So the empirical formula is the same as the molecular formula
Cl Cl
| |
H- C- C - H
| |
H H

The bonding works well for this formula.

Jun 24, 2017

Dividing the given percentages of the constituent elements in the compound by the respective atomic mass and taking their ratio we get the ratio of number of atoms of constituent elements in the molecule of the given compound as

Ratio of number of atoms

C:H:Cl=24.2712:4.071:71.6535.5

=2.02:4.07:2.021:2:1

So empirical formula CH2Cl
Let its molecular formula be (CH2Cl)n

Given the molar mass of the compound 98.96g/mol

So (12+2×1+35.5)×n=98.96

49n=98.96

n2

Hence its molecular formula is (CH2Cl)2=C2H4Cl2