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Question 17 of 19 in Types of formula for organic molecules

Types of formula for organic molecules

2 marks · Hard

The displayed formula of a molecule is shown below.

Geometry diagram with points A, B, C, H, H, H, H, H, HHHHHHH

Write the molecular formula and the empirical formula of this molecule.

(a)

Molecular formula:

[1 mark]
(b)

Empirical formula:

[1 mark]

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(a) C3H8

(b) C3H8

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Marking points

B1 (a) · 1 mark · Correct molecular formula: C3H8

B2 (b) · 1 mark · Correct empirical formula: C3H8

Worked solution

Count the number of carbon and hydrogen atoms shown in the displayed formula. There are 3 carbon atoms and 8 hydrogen atoms. Molecular formula is C3H8.

The empirical formula is the simplest whole number ratio. 3:8 cannot be simplified further, so the empirical formula is also C3H8.

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