General Chemistry: Principles and Modern Applications (10th Edition)

Published by Pearson Prentice Hal
ISBN 10: 0132064529
ISBN 13: 978-0-13206-452-1

Chapter 3 - Chemical Compounds - 3-1 Concept Assessment - Page 71: 3-1

Answer

For the molecular formula, count the atoms in the condensed structural formula given: $\mathrm{C}_{4} \mathrm{H}_{6} \mathrm{O}_{2} $. The empirical formula has the same ratio but with dividing by a common denominator to get the smallest possible integers: $\mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{3} \mathrm{O}_{2} .$ For the structural formula, imagine the formula of butane and replace the $-C H_{3}$ groups at the two ends of the butane structure with $\mathrm{- COOH}$ groups. For the line-angle formula, draw a line to represent $\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{C}-\mathrm{CH}_{2}$ and at an angle at each end of the line put a $\mathrm{- COOH}$ group.

Work Step by Step

For the molecular formula, count the atoms in the condensed structural formula given: $\mathrm{C}_{4} \mathrm{H}_{6} \mathrm{O}_{2} $. The empirical formula has the same ratio but with dividing by a common denominator to get the smallest possible integers: $\mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{3} \mathrm{O}_{2} .$ For the structural formula, imagine the formula of butane and replace the $-C H_{3}$ groups at the two ends of the butane structure with $\mathrm{- COOH}$ groups. For the line-angle formula, draw a line to represent $\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{C}-\mathrm{CH}_{2}$ and at an angle at each end of the line put a $\mathrm{- COOH}$ group.
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