A compound has an empirical formula CH₂ and a molar mass of 56 g/mol. Its molecular formula is:

Correct option is D

The correct answer is (D) C₄H₈

Explanation:

• The empirical formula of the compound is CH₂, and the molar mass is given as 56 g/mol.
• The molar mass of the empirical formula CH₂ is:
• C (12 g/mol) + H₂ (2 × 1 g/mol) = 14 g/mol.
• Now, divide the molar mass of the compound (56 g/mol) by the molar mass of the empirical formula (14 g/mol):
• 56 g/mol ÷ 14 g/mol = 4.
• Therefore, the molecular formula is 4 times the empirical formula:
• (CH₂)₄ = C₄H₈.

Information Booster:

• The molecular formula represents the actual number of atoms in a molecule, and it is a multiple of the empirical formula.
• In this case, CH₂ is the empirical formula, and the molecular formula is C₄H₈ (since 4 times the empirical formula gives the correct molar mass of 56 g/mol).