A compounds empirical formula is HO. If the formula mass is 34 amu, what is the molecular formula?

1 Answer
anor277
Nov 23, 2016

#"Molecular formula"# #=# #H_2O_2#.

Explanation:

The molecular formula is always a whole number mulitple of the empirical formula, and of course the multiple might be #1#.

So here, #("Molecular formula")# #=# #("Empirical formula" xx n)#

And thus,

#("Molecular mass")=34*g*mol^-1=nxx(1.008+15.999)*g*mol^-1#

Clearly #n=2#, and the molecular formula of hydrogen peroxide is #H_2O_2#.

What is the oxidation number of oxygen in this molecule?

Related questions
See all questions in Empirical and Molecular Formulas
Impact of this question
20458 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License