Question

What is the chemical formula of C4H9 with a molar mass of 114.26 g/mol?

Answer 1

I believe you have quoted an empirical formula. Empirical formulae are distinct from molecular formula.

Explanation:

The empirical formula is the simplest whole number ratio that defines constituent atoms in a species. The molecular formula is always a multiple of the empirical formula; and the mulitple might be `1`.

So `[EF]_n = MF`.

We have to find the multiple `n` for the empirical formula `C_4H_9`.

`(4xx12.011 +9xx1.00794)g*mol^-1xxn=114.26*g*mol^-1`.

Here I used the atomic masses of carbon and hydrogen. It is pretty clear that the mulitple, `n`, `=2`.

So molecular formula `= [EF]_n =2xx(C_4H_9) = C_8H_18`. Do I win 5 pounds?