Vinegar contains carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen with percent masses of 40.01% C and 6.70% H. If the molar mass of vinegar is about 60 g/mol, what is its molecular formula

The molecular formula will be

Explanation:

If percentage are given then we are taking total mass is 100 grams.

So, the mass of each element is equal to the percentage given.

Mass of C= 40.01 g

Mass of H = 6.70 g

Mass of O = 100-(40.01+ 6.70) = 53.29 g

Step 1 : convert given masses into moles.

Moles of C =

Moles of H =

Moles of O =

Step 2 : For the mole ratio, divide each value of moles by the smallest number of moles calculated.

For C =

For H =

For O =

The ratio of C : H: O= 1: 2: 1

Hence the empirical formula is

The empirical weight of = 1(12)+2(1)+1(16)= 30 g.

The molecular weight = 60 g/mole

Now we have to calculate the molecular formula.

The molecular formula will be=