(a) Give one example of naturally-occurring acids
(b) If 0.5 mole of a mono-alkanoic acid weighs 44g, determine the molecular formula and the name of the acid. (H = 1, C = 12, O = 16)
Explanation
(a) An example of naturally occurring acid is the ethanoic acid (CH\(_3\)COOH)
(b) If 0.5 mole of the mono-alkanoic acid weighs 44g
1 mole of the acid will weigh 2 x 44 = 88g.
i.e. (CH\(_2\)) x + 45 = 88
(CH\(_2\)) X = 88 - 45 = 43;
(14) x = 43
x = \(\frac{43}{14}\) = 3
3(CH\(_2\)) = \(C_3H_{6 +1}COOH = C_3H_7COOH\)
The monoalkanoic acid is butanoic acid.