You are performing an experiment and produce an unidentified compound. You know it is composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen but you do not know how many of each are present. You determine its relative formula mass is 59 g/mol. What is its molecular formula? A. C2H3O2
B. C4H3O4
C. CH12O2
D. C3H4O

C₂H₃O₂

Explanation:

Given the relative formula mass = 59g/mol

Unknown:

Molecular formula of the compound

Solution:

To identify this compound, let us find the molecular mass of the choices given.

The one that tallies with the number 59 is the solution:

For;

  C₂H₃O₂;

 Atomic mass of C = 12

 Atomic mass of H  = 1

  Atomic mass of O = 16

Insert the parameters and solve;

  Relative molecular formula = 2(12) + 3(1) + 2(16) = 59g/mol

So, the first choice is the compound.