The simplest formula for vitamin C is C3H4O3. Experimental data indicates that the molecular mass of vitamin C is about 180. What is the molecular formula of vitamin C?

↳Redirected from "Which following pairs of atoms, have a lower electron affinity? a) Ca,K b) I,F c) Li, Ra. I seriously don't know anything about electron affinity all ik that it can buy another element"
1 Answer
Doc Croc.
Jun 8, 2014

Start by working out the masses of the atoms in the simplest (empirical) formula: (3 x 12) + (4 x 1) + (3 x 16) = 88

So the relative formula mass is a multiple of 88. To see which multiple, we divide the experimental #M_r# by the empirical formula mass. 180/88 = 2.04 and round this to a whole number = 2

So the molecular formula is 2x the simplest formula: #C_6H_8O_6# giving an #M_r# of 176 which is close to the experimental value.

Related questions
See all questions in Determining Formula
Impact of this question
11741 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License