Why We Need More Information
* Elements Involved: The relative mass only tells us the combined atomic mass of the atoms in the molecule. We need to know which elements are present.
* Number of Atoms: The relative mass could be achieved with different combinations of atoms and their quantities.
Examples
Here are a few examples of molecular formulas with a relative mass of 72:
* C5H12 (Pentane): (5 x 12) + (12 x 1) = 72
* C4H8O (Butanal or 2-Butanone): (4 x 12) + (8 x 1) + (16 x 1) = 72
* C3H6O2 (Methyl acetate): (3 x 12) + (6 x 1) + (16 x 2) = 72
To help you find the correct formula, tell me:
* What elements are present in the molecule?
* Do you have any additional information, like the empirical formula or the type of compound (e.g., hydrocarbon, alcohol, etc.)?
