Question

Succinic acid has a simple formula of C2H3O2 and a molecular weight of 118 gram/mol. what is the molecular formula of succinic acid

A) C4H6O4
B) C2H3O2
C) C8H12O8
D) C3H6O3 ​

Answer 1

Find Empirical mass.

`\\ \bullet\sf\longmapsto C_2H_3O_2`

`\\ \bullet\sf\longmapsto 2(12u)+3(1u)+2(16u)`

`\\ \bullet\sf\longmapsto 24u+3u+32u`

`\\ \bullet\sf\longmapsto 59g/mol`

Now Divide it by Molecular Mass..

`\\ \bullet\sf\longmapsto (118)/(59)`

`\\ \bullet\sf\longmapsto 2`

Now molecular formula

`\\ \bullet\sf\longmapsto 2(C_2H_3O_2)`

`\\ \bullet\sf\longmapsto C_4H_6O_4`