Name: ____________________________________________________________ Period: ________________
Empirical and Molecular Formula
Testosterone (C19H28O2) and estrogen (C18H24O2) are sex hormones involved in the growth, maintenance, and
repair of reproductive tissues. Even though testosterone is primarily thought of as a male hormone (deepens
voice, increases muscle size, increases body hair, and affects other male features), it may surprise you to know
that both men and women produce testosterone and estrogen. There have been reported cases where female
athletes take extra testosterone to gain an advantage over other female competitors.
A female athlete has been found to have the following elevated levels in her blood stream. Determine whether
this is elevated levels of testosterone or estrogen:
79.1 % Carbon, 9.8 % Hydrogen, 11.1 % Oxygen
1. Find the empirical formula for a compound with 75% carbon, 25% hydrogen.
2. A medical examiner finds the following in a victim: 10.1% Carbon, 0.8% Hydrogen, and 89.1%
Chlorine. The victim is believed to have been poisoned with Chloroform (CHCl3) Find the empirical
formula of chloroform and determine whether this person was poisoned.
3. What is the empirical formula for glucose: C6H12O6?
4. What is the empirical formula for glucose: C4H12?
5. What is the empirical formula for glucose: C3H6?
6.
The empirical formula of a compound is NO2. Its molecular mass is 92 g/mol. What is its molecular
formula?
7.
The empirical formula for a compound is CH2. Its molecular mass is 70 g/mol. What is its
molecular formula?
8. A compound is 54.5% carbon, 9.1% hydrogen and 36.4% oxygen. Its molecular mass is 88 g/mol.
What is its molecular formula?
9.
Succinic acid is a substance produced by lichens. Chemical analysis indicates it is composed of 40.68%
carbon, 5.08% hydrogen, and 54.24% oxygen and has a molecular mass of 118.1 g/mol. Determine the
empirical and molecular formulas for succinic acid.