A Carbon compound containing only carbon and oxygen has an approximate molecular mass of 290 . On analysis it is found to contain 50 % by mass of each element . What is the molecular formula of the compound ?

Explanation

the empirical formula `= C_4 O_3`
empirical formula mass ` = ( 4 xx 12 ) + (3 xx 16 ) =96`
molecular mass =290
` n=("Molecular mass ")/("Empirical formula mass ")=(290)/(96 ) ~=3`
Molecular formula `=n xx ` empirical formula
`=3 xx C_4 O_3 = C_(12) O_9`