30june2016
Active Member
We know that the molar mass of Carbon is roughly 12 and Hydrogen is roughly 1Determine the molecular formula and homologous series to which straight chain hydrocarbons with the following molecular weights could belong. Values for the molecular weights are rounded.
a) 28
b) 42
c) 72
so
a) 28
Carbon + Hydrogen = 12 + 1 = 13
28/13 = 2 remainder 2
therefore there are 2 carbons and 2+2 hydrogens
so the molecular formula is C2H4 and is thus an Alkene (formula: CnH2n)
b) 42
do it the same way to get C3H6
therefore it is also an Alkene
c) 72
C5H12
therefore it is an Alkane (CnH2n+2)