2
QuizMultiple Choice

Percent Composition and Molecular Formula

Question 2 • FL-2003350-Chemistry 1 Honors

Which step would help a student find the molecular formula of a compound from the empirical formula?

Answer
A
Multiply the subscripts of the empirical formula by the value of the ratio of the molar mass of the compound to the empirical molar mass of the compound.
B
Subtract the value of the ratio of the molar mass of the compound to the empirical molar mass of the compound from the subscripts of the empirical formula.
C
Divide the subscripts of the empirical formula by the value of the ratio of the molar mass of the compound to the empirical molar mass of the compound.
D
Add the value of the ratio of the molar mass of the compound to the empirical molar mass of the compound to the subscripts of the empirical formula.

Explanation

First, divide the compound’s molar mass by the empirical formula’s molar mass to find a whole-number ratio. Then multiply every subscript in the empirical formula by that ratio to get the molecular formula. For example, a ratio of 2 means each subscript is doubled, so the correct step is multiplying the subscripts by the ratio.

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