Butanedione—the component responsible for the smell and taste of butter and cheese—contains the elements carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. The empirical formula of butanedione is C₂H₃O, and its molar mass is 86.09 g/mol. Determine its molecular formula.

Transcribed Image Text:

SORT You are given the empirical formula and molar mass of butanedione and asked to find the molecular formula. STRATEGIZE A molecular formula is always a whole-number multiple of the empirical formula. Divide the molar mass by the empirical formula molar mass to find the whole number. GIVEN: Empirical formula = C₂H₂O molar mass = 86.09 g/mol FIND: Molecular formula Molecular formula = empirical formula x n molar mass empirical formula molar mass n =