Question

Assertion (A): The empirical mass of ethene is half of its molecular mass.

Reason (R): The empirical formula represents the simplest whole number ratio of various atoms present in a compound.

Options

• Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

• A is true but R is false.

• A is false but R is true.

• Both A and R are false.

Answer 1

Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

Explanation:

The molecular formula gives the actual number of different atoms present in a molecule and the empirical formula gives a simple whole number ratio of different atoms present in a molecule.

Since ethene \[\ce{C2H4}\] can be further simplified, the emprical formula becomes \[\ce{CH2}\].

The molecular mass of \[\ce{C2H4}\] is 28 g/mgl and the empirical mass of \[\ce{CH2}\] is 14 g/mol.

Therefore, the empirical mass of ethene is half of its molecular mass.