A substance has an empirical formula of CH_2 and a molar mass of 56 grams per mole. What is the molecular formula for this compound?

1 Answer
Jan 3, 2017

The molecular formula is always a whole number multiple of the empirical formula, so.........

Explanation:

("empirical formula")xxn="Molecular formula",

i.e. (12.01+2xx1.00794)*g*mol^-1xxn=56*g*mol^-1

n=(56*g*mol^-1)/((12.01+2xx1.00794)*g*mol^-1)

And clearly, n=4.

So "molecular formula" = (CH_2)_4

=C_4H_8

The stuff is a butylene OR a three-membered or four-membered ring.