Give molecular formulas corresponding to each of the following ball-and-stick molecular representations (red = O, gray = C, blue = N, ivory = H). In writing the formula, list the elements in alphabetical order. (c) Acetic acid (vinegar)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the colors of the atoms in the ball-and-stick model: red for oxygen (O), gray for carbon (C), blue for nitrogen (N), and ivory for hydrogen (H).
2. Count the number of each type of atom in the acetic acid molecule. Typically, acetic acid has 2 carbon atoms, 4 hydrogen atoms, and 2 oxygen atoms.
3. Write the molecular formula by listing the elements in alphabetical order: C, H, and O.
4. Combine the counts of each atom type into the molecular formula format: C_xH_yO_z, where x, y, and z are the respective counts of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms.
5. Ensure the molecular formula reflects the correct number of each type of atom as observed in the ball-and-stick model.

Key Concepts

Molecular Formula

A molecular formula represents the number and types of atoms in a molecule. It is expressed by listing the chemical symbols of the elements present, followed by subscripts indicating the number of each type of atom. For example, the molecular formula for acetic acid is C2H4O2, which shows it contains two carbon (C), four hydrogen (H), and two oxygen (O) atoms.

Ball-and-Stick Model

A ball-and-stick model is a three-dimensional representation of a molecule, where balls represent atoms and sticks represent the bonds between them. This model helps visualize the spatial arrangement of atoms and the connectivity within the molecule. In the case of acetic acid, the model would show the arrangement of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms, aiding in understanding its structure.

Elemental Symbol Order

When writing a molecular formula, elements are typically listed in a specific order, often based on alphabetical arrangement of their chemical symbols. This standardization helps in quickly identifying the composition of the molecule. For acetic acid, the correct order is C, H, and O, leading to the formula C2H4O2, which adheres to this alphabetical convention.