An unknown substance has an empirical formula of CH2 and an experimental molar mass of 56.12 g/mol. Calculate the molecular formula for this compound.

Molecular formula = C₄H₈

Explanation:

Given data:

Empirical formula = CH₂

Molar mass of compound = 56.12 g/mol

Molecular formula = ?

Solution:

Molecular formula:

Molecular formula = n (empirical formula)

n = molar mass of compound / empirical formula mass

Empirical formula mass = 12× 1 + 1.01 × 2= 14.02 g/mol

n = 56.12 / 14.02

n = 4

Molecular formula = n (empirical formula)

Molecular formula = 4 (CH₂)

Molecular formula = C₄H₈