A Compound Is Composed Of 92.3% Carbon And 7.7% Hydrogen. It's Molar Mass Is 26.04 G/mol. What Is Its Moĺecular Formula
Introduction
In the realm of chemistry, understanding the molecular formula of a compound is crucial for determining its properties and behavior. A compound's molecular formula is a representation of the number and types of atoms present in a single molecule of the compound. In this article, we will delve into the world of carbon and hydrogen, two elements that are fundamental to the structure of many organic compounds. We will explore how to determine the molecular formula of a compound given its percentage composition and molar mass.
The Importance of Percentage Composition and Molar Mass
The percentage composition of a compound is a measure of the proportion of each element present in the compound. It is usually expressed as a percentage by mass, with the total percentage adding up to 100%. In the case of the compound we are dealing with, the percentage composition is 92.3% carbon and 7.7% hydrogen.
The molar mass of a compound is the mass of one mole of the compound, expressed in grams per mole (g/mol). It is a measure of the total mass of all the atoms present in a molecule of the compound. In this case, the molar mass of the compound is 26.04 g/mol.
Theoretical Background
To determine the molecular formula of a compound, we need to use the following formula:
Molar Mass = (Number of Carbon Atoms x Atomic Mass of Carbon) + (Number of Hydrogen Atoms x Atomic Mass of Hydrogen)
We can rearrange this formula to solve for the number of carbon and hydrogen atoms:
Number of Carbon Atoms = (Molar Mass - (Number of Hydrogen Atoms x Atomic Mass of Hydrogen)) / Atomic Mass of Carbon
Number of Hydrogen Atoms = (Molar Mass - (Number of Carbon Atoms x Atomic Mass of Carbon)) / Atomic Mass of Hydrogen
Calculating the Number of Carbon and Hydrogen Atoms
The atomic mass of carbon is 12.01 g/mol, and the atomic mass of hydrogen is 1.008 g/mol. We can plug in the values for the molar mass and percentage composition to calculate the number of carbon and hydrogen atoms.
First, we need to convert the percentage composition to a decimal:
92.3% = 0.923 7.7% = 0.077
Next, we can calculate the mass of carbon and hydrogen in one mole of the compound:
Mass of Carbon = 0.923 x Molar Mass = 0.923 x 26.04 g/mol = 24.01 g/mol Mass of Hydrogen = 0.077 x Molar Mass = 0.077 x 26.04 g/mol = 2.01 g/mol
Now, we can use the formula to calculate the number of carbon and hydrogen atoms:
Number of Carbon Atoms = (Mass of Carbon / Atomic Mass of Carbon) = 24.01 g/mol / 12.01 g/mol = 2 Number of Hydrogen Atoms = (Mass of Hydrogen / Atomic Mass of Hydrogen) = 2.01 g/mol / 1.008 g/mol = 2
Determining the Molecular Formula
Now that we have the number of carbon and hydrogen atoms, we can determine the molecular formula of the compound. The molecular formula is a representation of the number and types of atoms present in a single molecule of the compound.
In this case, the molecular formula is C2H2, which means that one molecule of the compound contains 2 carbon atoms and 2 hydrogen atoms.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we have successfully determined the molecular formula of a compound given its percentage composition and molar mass. The molecular formula is a representation of the number and types of atoms present in a single molecule of the compound, and it is a crucial piece of information for understanding the properties and behavior of a compound.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the molecular formula of a compound? The molecular formula of a compound is a representation of the number and types of atoms present in a single molecule of the compound.
- How do I determine the molecular formula of a compound? To determine the molecular formula of a compound, you need to know the percentage composition and molar mass of the compound. You can use the formula: Molar Mass = (Number of Carbon Atoms x Atomic Mass of Carbon) + (Number of Hydrogen Atoms x Atomic Mass of Hydrogen) to calculate the number of carbon and hydrogen atoms.
- What is the significance of the molecular formula of a compound? The molecular formula of a compound is a crucial piece of information for understanding the properties and behavior of a compound.
References
- CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics
- Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure
- Organic Chemistry: A Short Course
Further Reading
- Molecular Formula: A Comprehensive Guide
- Determining the Molecular Formula of a Compound
- The Importance of Molecular Formula in Chemistry
Related Articles
- Understanding the Properties of Compounds
- The Role of Atomic Mass in Chemistry
- Determining the Empirical Formula of a Compound
Introduction
In our previous article, we explored the concept of a compound's molecular formula and how to determine it given its percentage composition and molar mass. In this article, we will delve into a Q&A session to address some of the most frequently asked questions related to molecular formulas.
Q&A Session
Q: What is the molecular formula of a compound?
A: The molecular formula of a compound is a representation of the number and types of atoms present in a single molecule of the compound.
Q: How do I determine the molecular formula of a compound?
A: To determine the molecular formula of a compound, you need to know the percentage composition and molar mass of the compound. You can use the formula: Molar Mass = (Number of Carbon Atoms x Atomic Mass of Carbon) + (Number of Hydrogen Atoms x Atomic Mass of Hydrogen) to calculate the number of carbon and hydrogen atoms.
Q: What is the significance of the molecular formula of a compound?
A: The molecular formula of a compound is a crucial piece of information for understanding the properties and behavior of a compound. It helps chemists to predict the physical and chemical properties of a compound, such as its melting point, boiling point, and solubility.
Q: Can I determine the molecular formula of a compound if I only know its empirical formula?
A: Yes, you can determine the molecular formula of a compound if you only know its empirical formula. The empirical formula is the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms of each element in a compound. To determine the molecular formula, you need to multiply the empirical formula by a factor that is equal to the molar mass of the compound divided by the molar mass of the empirical formula.
Q: How do I determine the empirical formula of a compound?
A: To determine the empirical formula of a compound, you need to know the percentage composition of the compound. You can use the formula: Empirical Formula = (Number of Atoms of Each Element / Greatest Common Divisor of the Numbers of Atoms) to calculate the empirical formula.
Q: What is the difference between the molecular formula and the empirical formula of a compound?
A: The molecular formula of a compound is a representation of the number and types of atoms present in a single molecule of the compound, while the empirical formula is the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms of each element in a compound.
Q: Can I determine the molecular formula of a compound if I only know its chemical name?
A: No, you cannot determine the molecular formula of a compound if you only know its chemical name. You need to know the percentage composition and molar mass of the compound to determine its molecular formula.
Q: How do I determine the molar mass of a compound?
A: To determine the molar mass of a compound, you need to know the atomic masses of the elements present in the compound. You can use the formula: Molar Mass = (Number of Atoms of Each Element x Atomic Mass of Each Element) to calculate the molar mass.
Q: What is the significance of the molar mass of a compound?
A: The molar mass of a compound is a crucial piece of information for understanding the properties and behavior of a compound. It helps chemists to predict the physical and chemical properties of a compound, such as its melting point, boiling point, and solubility.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we have addressed some of the most frequently asked questions related to molecular formulas. We hope that this Q&A session has provided you with a better understanding of the concept of molecular formulas and how to determine them.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the molecular formula of a compound? The molecular formula of a compound is a representation of the number and types of atoms present in a single molecule of the compound.
- How do I determine the molecular formula of a compound? To determine the molecular formula of a compound, you need to know the percentage composition and molar mass of the compound.
- What is the significance of the molecular formula of a compound? The molecular formula of a compound is a crucial piece of information for understanding the properties and behavior of a compound.
References
- CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics
- Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure
- Organic Chemistry: A Short Course
Further Reading
- Molecular Formula: A Comprehensive Guide
- Determining the Molecular Formula of a Compound
- The Importance of Molecular Formula in Chemistry
Related Articles
- Understanding the Properties of Compounds
- The Role of Atomic Mass in Chemistry
- Determining the Empirical Formula of a Compound