Answer: The molecular formula of glucose is [tex]C_6H_{12}O_6[/tex]
Explanation:
We are given:
Empirical formula of the compound = [tex]CH_2O[/tex]
Empirical mass of the compound = [tex][(1\times 12)+(2\times 1)+(1\times 16)]=30g/mol[/tex]
For determining the molecular formula, we need to determine the valency which is multiplied by each element to get the molecular formula.
The equation used to calculate the valency is:
[tex]n=\frac{\text{Molecular mass}}{\text{Empirical mass}}[/tex]
We are given:
Mass of molecular formula = 180.12 g/mol
Mass of empirical formula = 30 g/mol
Putting values in above equation, we get:
[tex]n=\frac{180.12g/mol}{30g/mol}=6[/tex]
Multiplying this valency by the subscript of every element of empirical formula, we get:
[tex]C_{(1\times 6)}H_{(2\times 6)}O_{(1\times 6)}=C_6H_{12}O_6[/tex]
Hence, the molecular formula of glucose is [tex]C_6H_{12}O_6[/tex]
