Empirical & Molecular Formula

n = 30 / 15 = 2

Moles of C2.00

Moles of H6.00

Empirical formulaCH3

Molecular formulaC2H6

Mass of carbon (g)24

Mass of hydrogen (g)6

Molecular mass (g/mol)30

Set 12 g of carbon and 4 g of hydrogen — confirm the empirical formula is CH4
Set 24 g of carbon and 4 g of hydrogen — confirm the empirical formula simplifies to CH2
With 24 g carbon and 6 g hydrogen (empirical CH3), set the molecular mass to 30 g/mol — confirm the molecular formula is C2H6
Find a case where the multiplier n = 1 — the molecular formula equals the empirical formula
With 24 g carbon and 4 g hydrogen (empirical CH2), set the molecular mass to 28 g/mol — confirm the molecular formula is C2H4