Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Molecular Weight
Molecular weight, also known as molar mass, is the mass of one mole of a substance, expressed in grams per mole (g/mol). It is calculated by summing the atomic weights of all atoms in a molecular formula. For example, in butyric acid (C4H8O2), the molecular weight is determined by adding the weights of 4 carbon (C), 8 hydrogen (H), and 2 oxygen (O) atoms.
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Weight Conversion Example
Atomic Weights
Atomic weights are the average masses of an element's isotopes, measured in atomic mass units (amu). These values are found on the periodic table and are essential for calculating molecular weights. For instance, the atomic weights for carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen are approximately 12.01 amu, 1.008 amu, and 16.00 amu, respectively, which are used to compute the molecular weight of compounds like butyric acid.
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Empirical vs. Molecular Formula
The empirical formula represents the simplest whole-number ratio of elements in a compound, while the molecular formula shows the actual number of each type of atom in a molecule. Butyric acid has the molecular formula C4H8O2, indicating it contains 4 carbon, 8 hydrogen, and 2 oxygen atoms, which can also be derived from its empirical formula, C2H4O, showing the ratio of elements.
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Empirical vs Molecular Formula