MOL AIRLINES
Jacob Jeter, Maccoy Merrell,
Levi Villarreal, Bryce Mottley
ALL HAIL HONORABLE JUDGE RESTIVO!
Number
Carbon
Hydrogen
Nitrogen
Oxygen
Found
Formula
Chemical
Person
1
67.31
6.98
4.62
21.10
Blood and luggage
C17H21NO4
Cocaine
Bill Cadillac
Seville
2a
63.15
5.30
X
31.55
briefcase
2b
46.66
4.48
31.10
17.76
stomach
3
72.15
7.08
4.68
16.03
4
15.87
2.22
18.15
5a
75.42
6.63
5b
37.01
6
C8H8O3
Vanillin
JemCreme
Leclaire
C₇H₈N₄O₂
Theobromine
“
pockets
C18H21NO3
Codeine
Reno Bob
Henderson
63.41
blood and pockets
C3H5N3O9
Nitroglycerin
Amadeo G.
Seville
8.38
9.57
blood
C21H22N2O2
Strychnine
Norman
Anderson
2.22
18.50
42.27
luggage and blast
site
C7H5N3O6
Trinitrotoluene
“
57.14
6.16
9.52
27.18
briefcase
C14H18N2O5
Aspartame
Archer Starr
7a
80.94
7.45
9.39
2.68
briefcase
C40H44N4O
Curare
Lisa Jo
Elderberry
7b
81.58
8.90
9.52
X
luggage
C20H26N2
Dimetacrine
“
8a
60.00
4.48
X
35.53
pocket and
briefcase
C9H8O4
Aspirin
Connie Lou
Majors
8b
63.56
6.00
9.27
21.17
pocket and
briefcase
C8H9NO2
Acetaminophen
“
Amadeo G. Oldere
Who was Amadeo G. Oldere and what was his part in the Mole Air disaster? Explain the
chemical and mathematical proof to show this to be correct with as any absolutes as
possible.
Mr. Oldere suffered from a heart condition which prevented him from flying
planes. Nitroglycerin was found in the blood of suspect 4, leading to the conclusion that
suspect 4 must be Mr. Oldere. While nitroglycerin is explosive, it must be concentrated
beyond that of a regular prescription pill and ignited by various means. Mr. Oldere’s
influence in the crashing of the plane can therefore be exempted.
Archer Starr
Who was Archer Starr and what was her part in the Mole Air disaster? Explain the
chemical and mathematical proof to show this to be correct with as any absolutes as
possible.
Our findings show that Archer Starr is the most likely candidate for owning the
briefcase belonging to suspect 6. While conventionally, a teacher would not pack
obstructive chemicals with her work, we do not know the day nor the destination of the
plane she was on. Also, only aspartame was found in the briefcase. This leads to the
conclusion that Archer Starr was suspect 6, which had no explosives nor poisons tied
chemically.
Suspect #1
Deductions
Seville, Bill Cadillac
Used car salesman and suspected drug dealer
Bill is a suspected drug dealer, and since cocaine is
one of the most popular illegal drugs, we can assume
that he was the one who had the drug in his blood
and luggage, and was smuggling it to another
location.
Empirical Formula
Cocaine– C17H21NO4 – Illegal drug
Smallest
PreEmpirical
% (Grams)
GFWT
Quotient
Carbon
67.31
12
5.61
16.998
16.998
(17)
Hydrogen
6.98
1
6.98
21.15
21.15
(21)
.33
Factor
# of
atoms
Element
1
Nitrogen
4.62
14
.33
1
1
(1)
Oxygen
21.10
16
1.31875
3.9962
3.9962
(4)
Percent Composition
Cocaine– C17H21NO4 – Illegal drug
Element
Number of Atoms
GFWT
Work
% Composition
Carbon
17
12x17=204
204/303
67.3
Hydrogen
21
21x1=21
21/303
6.9
Nitrogen
1
1x14=14
14/303
4.6
Oxygen
4
16x4=64
64/303
21.1
Total
43
303
X
100
Suspect #2
Deductions
LeClaire, JemCreme
French Pastry Chef
Vanillin is the main ingredient in vanilla extract and
flavoring. This would be something a chef would use
daily.
This was found in his suitcase, so we can assume he
was transporting the vanilla to another location.
Theobromine, an alkaloid found in chocolate was also
found in their stomach. Since a pastry chef is sure to
have recently been around chocolate, we can assume
that the Theobromine belonged to JemCreme.
Empirical Formula
Element
% (Grams) GFWT
Quotient
Smallest
Carbon
63.15
12
5.2625
2.6700
Hydrogen
5.30
1
5.3
2.6877
Nitrogen
X
14
X
X
Oxygen
31.55
16
1.9719
1
1.9719
Pre-Empirical
Factor
# of
atoms
8.010
(8)
8.063
(8)
3
X
3
(3)
Theobromine– C7H8N4O2 – Found in chocolate
Vanillin – C8H8O3 – Found in Vanilla
Element
% (Grams) GFWT
Quotient
Smallest
Pre-Empirical
Carbon
46.66
12
3.8883
3.503
Hydrogen
4.48
1
4.48
4.036
1.11
Factor
7.005
(7)
8.072
2
Nitrogen
31.10
14
2.221
2.0009
Oxygen
17.76
16
1.11
1
# of
atoms
(8)
4.002
(4)
2
(2)
Percent Composition
Element
Number of Atoms
GFWT
Work
% Composition
Carbon
8
12x8=96
96/152
63.1
Hydrogen
8
1x8=8
8/152
5.2
Nitrogen
0
14x0=0
0/152
0
Oxygen
3
16x3=48
48/152
31.57
Total
19
152
X
100
Vanillin – C8H8O3 – Found in Vanilla
Theobromine– C7H8N4O2 – Found in chocolate
Element
Number of Atoms
GFWT
Work
% Composition
Carbon
7
12x7=84
84/180
46.67
Hydrogen
8
1x8=8
8/180
4.44
Nitrogen
4
14x4=56
56/180
31.11
Oxygen
2
16x2=32
32/180
17.77
Total
X
180
X
100
Suspect #3
Deductions
Henderson, Reno Bob
Pro Athlete suspended for drug violations
Codeine is a medicine that can be easily abused, and
since Reno Bob was suspended for drug abuse, he
could be the one with the Codeine.
Also, Codeine can be picked up on drug tests, so
Reno would be busted if he had been overdosing.
The Codeine was found in his pockets, showing that
he had taken it recently.
Empirical Formula
Codeine– C18H21NO3 – Pain or cough medicine
Element
% (Grams) GFWT
Quotient
Smallest
Pre-Empirical
Carbon
72.15
12
6.0125
18.001
Hydrogen
7.08
1
7.08
21.197
.334
Factor
18.001
(18)
21.197
1
Nitrogen
4.68
14
.334
1
Oxygen
16.03
16
1.002
3
# of
atoms
(21)
1
(1)
3
(3)
Percent Composition
Codeine– C18H21NO3 – Pain or cough medicine
Element
Number of Atoms
GFWT
Work
% Composition
Carbon
18
12x18=216
216/299
72.24
Hydrogen
21
1x21=21
21/299
7
Nitrogen
1
14x1=14
14/299
4.68
Oxygen
3
16x3=48
48/299
16.05
Total
X
299
X
100
Suspect #4
Deductions
Oldere, Amadeo G.
Suspended pilot because of heart condition.
Suspect 4 was found with Nitroglycerin in their blood
and pockets. Nitroglycerin treats chest pain and can
lower the risk of heart disease.
Because Amadeo has a heart condition, we can
assume that he was taking medication for it.
Empirical Formula
Nitroglycerin – C3H5N3O9 – Lowers chance of heart attack
Element
% (Grams) GFWT
Quotient
Smallest
Pre-Empirical
Carbon
15.87
12
1.3225
1.020
Hydrogen
2.22
1
2.22
1.7124
1.2964
Factor
3.06
(3)
5.1372
3
Nitrogen
18.15
14
1.2964
1
Oxygen
63.41
16
3.96
3.055
# of
atoms
(5)
3
(3)
9.165
(9)
Percent Composition
Nitroglycerin – C3H5N3O9 – Lowers chance of heart attack
Element
Number of Atoms
GFWT
Work
% Composition
Carbon
3
12x3=36
36/227
15.85
Hydrogen
5
1x5=5
5/227
2.2
Nitrogen
3
14x3=42
42/227
18.5
Oxygen
9
16x9=144
144/227
63.4
Total
X
227
X
100
Suspect #5
Deductions
Anderson, Norman
Suspected leader of terrorist organization
The only suspect left for chemical set 5 is Norman
Anderson, the suspected leader of a terrorist
organization.
Furthermore, as a suspected terrorist, it makes sense
that he would have TNT on a plane, to try and blow it
up.
The poison was found in his blood, showing that he
had already ingested it, while the TNT was in his
luggage, waiting to be detonated.
Empirical Formula
Smallest
PreEmpirical
Element
% (Grams) GFWT
Quotient
Carbon
75.42
12
6.285
10.510
Hydrogen
6.63
1
6.63
11.087
.598
Factor
21.02
(21)
22.174
2
Nitrogen
8.38
14
.599
1.002
Oxygen
9.57
16
.598
1
# of
atoms
Strychnine – C21H22N2O2 - Poison
(22)
2.004
(2)
2
(2)
Trinitrotoluene – C7H5N3O6 - Explosive
Smallest
PreEmpirical
Element
% (Grams) GFWT
Quotient
Carbon
37.01
12
3.084
2.334
Hydrogen
2.22
1
2.22
1.6
1.3214
Factor
7.002
(7)
4.8
3
Nitrogen
18.50
14
1.3214
1
Oxygen
42.27
16
2.6419
1.999
# of
atoms
(5)
3
(3)
5.997
(6)
Percent Composition
Element
Number of Atoms
GFWT
Work
% Composition
Carbon
21
12x21=252
252/334
75.45
Hydrogen
22
1x22=22
22/334
6.6
Nitrogen
2
14x2=28
28/334
8.4
Oxygen
2
16x2=32
32/334
9.6
Total
X
334
X
100
Trinitrotoluene – C7H5N3O6 - Explosive
Strychnine – C21H22N2O2 - Poison
Element
Number of Atoms
GFWT
Work
% Composition
Carbon
7
12x7=84
84/227
37
Hydrogen
5
1x5=5
5/227
2
Nitrogen
3
14x3=42
42/227
18.5
Oxygen
6
16x6=96
96/227
42.3
Total
X
227
X
100
Suspect #6
Deductions
Star, Archer
Science teacher addicted to sugar free drinks and
candy
Suspect 6 was found with aspartame, an artificial
sweetener in their briefcase. This was most likely
Archer Starr, who is addicted to artificial sweeteners.
Empirical Formula
Aspartame– C14H18N2O5 – Artificial sweetener
Element
% (Grams) GFWT
Quotient
Smallest
Pre-Empirical
Carbon
57.14
12
4.7617
7.0025
Hydrogen
6.16
1
6.16
9.0588
.68
Factor
14.005
(14)
18.118
2
Nitrogen
9.52
14
.68
1
Oxygen
27.18
16
1.699
2.498
# of
atoms
(18)
2
(2)
4.996
(5)
Percent Composition
Aspartame– C14H18N2O5 – Artificial sweetener
Element
Number of Atoms
GFWT
Work
% Composition
Carbon
14
12x14=168
168/294
57.14
Hydrogen
18
1x18=18
18/294
6.1
Nitrogen
2
14x2=28
28/294
9.5
Oxygen
5
16x5=80
80/294
27.21
Total
X
294
X
100-ish
Suspect #7
Deductions
Elderberry, Lisa Jo
Severely depressed environmental engineer
Since Lisa is an environmental engineer, she would
have access to many different plants perhaps
including the Curare plant, from which poison is
derived.
Also, she is depressed, so it is safe to assume that
she would be taking anti-depressant medicine.
The poison was found in her briefcase, while the antidepressant was in her briefcase.
Empirical Formula
Element
% (Grams) GFWT
Quotient
Smallest
Pre-Empirical
Carbon
80.94
12
6.745
40.269
Hydrogen
7.45
1
7.45
44.478
.1675
Factor
40.269
(40)
44.478
(44)
1
Nitrogen
9.39
14
.6707
4.004
Oxygen
2.68
16
.1675
1
# of
atoms
4.004
(4)
1
(1)
Dimetacrine – C10H13N (or C20H26N2) – Anti-Depressant
Curare – C40H44N4O - Poison
* This one was even but was not the correct formula, so we
multiplied it by 2 and got the formula for the desired chemical.
Element
% (Grams) GFWT
Quotient
Smallest
Carbon
81.58
12
6.7983
9.9975
Hydrogen
8.90
1
8.90
13.088
Nitrogen
9.52
14
.68
1
Oxygen
X
16
X
X
.68
Pre-Empirical
Factor
# of
atoms
19.995
(20)
26.176
2
(26)
2
(2)
X
Percent Composition
Element
Number of Atoms
GFWT
Work
% Composition
Carbon
40
12x40=480
480/596
80.53
Hydrogen
44
1x44=44
44/596
7.38
Nitrogen
4
14x4=56
56/596
9.4
Oxygen
1
16x1=16
16/596
2.7
Total
X
596
X
100
Curare – C40H44N4O - Poison
Dimetacrine – C7H5N3O6 – Anti-Depressant
Element
Number of Atoms
GFWT
Work
% Composition
Carbon
20
12x20=240
240/294
81.63
Hydrogen
26
1x26=26
26/294
8.84
Nitrogen
2
14x2=28
28/294
9.5
Oxygen
0
16x0=0
0/294
0
Total
X
294
X
100
Suspect #8
Deductions
Majors, Connie Lou
Chemist/Pharmacist
Since both aspirin and acetaminophen are readily
available over the counter medicines, we know
suspect 8 is somebody with access to those kind of
drugs.
Connie is a pharmacist, so she would be able to
access both of those medicines due to her profession.
These drugs were found in her suitcase, showing that
she was transporting them for work.
Empirical Formula
Element
% (Grams) GFWT
Quotient
Smallest
Carbon
60.00
12
5
2.25
Hydrogen
4.48
1
4.48
2.017
Nitrogen
X
14
X
X
Oxygen
35.53
16
2.22
1
2.22
Pre-Empirical
Aspirin– C9H8O4 – Treats pain
Factor
# of
atoms
9.006
(9)
8.0699
4
(8)
X
4
(4)
Tylenol – C8H9NO2 – Treats aches
Smallest
PreEmpirical
Element
% (Grams) GFWT
Quotient
Carbon
63.56
12
5.297
7.999
Hydrogen
6.00
1
6.00
9.0615
.662
Factor
7.999
(8)
9.0615
1
Nitrogen
9.27
14
.662
1
Oxygen
21.17
16
1.323
1.9982
# of
atoms
(9)
1
(1)
1.9982
(2)
Percent Composition
Element
Number of Atoms
GFWT
Work
% Composition
Carbon
9
12x9=108
108/180
60
Hydrogen
8
1x8=8
8/180
4.44
Nitrogen
0
14x0=0
0/180
0
Oxygen
4
16x4=64
64/180
35.55
Total
X
180
X
100
Aspirin– C9H8O4 – Treats pain
Tylenol – C8H9NO2 – Treats aches
Element
Number of Atoms
GFWT
Work
% Composition
Carbon
8
12x8=96
96/151
63.58
Hydrogen
9
1x9=9
9/151
6
Nitrogen
1
14x1=14
14/151
9.27
Oxygen
2
16x2=32
32/151
21.2
Total
X
151
X
100
CONCLUSION
■ The chemical found at the blast site had the same percent composition as chemical
5b, which was also found in someone’s luggage. Deriving the empirical formula for
this chemical showed that it was Trinitrotoluene, more commonly known as TNT,
which is a high grade explosive. Thus, Norman Anderson is at fault for causing the
crash.
■
There was also a death an hour before the explosion. Strychnine, a powerful rat
poison, was found in Norman Anderson. This leads to the conclusion that Norman
Anderson, the suspected leader of a terrorist organization, died one hour before the
crash via strychnine. This is due to the fact that the other chemicals found in the
passengers, were not lethal in normal amounts. The only substance capable of
lethal dosage would be strychnine, requiring a mere 2 mg per kg, or 136 mg for the
average adult male. However Strychnine is a very ineffective at killing leading to the
question of whether Mr. Anderson committed suicide or was killed by outside
means.