Polymers are large molecules composed of simple units repeated many times. thus, they often have relatively simple empirical formulas. calculate the empirical formulas of the following polymers: (a) lucite (plexiglas); 59.9% c, 8.06% h, 32.0% o (b) saran; 24.8% c, 2.0% h, 73.1% cl (c) polyethylene; 86% c, 14% h (d) polystyrene; 92.3% c, 7.7% h (e) orlon; 67.9% c, 5.70% h, 26.4% n

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

Explanation:

Hello,

(a) For the lucite, one computes the moles of C, H and O that are present:

Now, dividing each moles by the smallest moles (oxygen's moles), one obtains:

Finally, we look for the smallest whole number subscript by multiplying by 2, so the empirical formula turns out into:

(b) For the Saran, one computes the moles of C, H and Cl that are present:

Now, dividing each moles by the smallest moles (hydrogen's moles), one obtains:

Finally, as all of the subscripts are whole numbers, the empirical formula turns out into:

(c) For the polyethylene, one computes the moles of C and H that are present:

Now, dividing each moles by the smallest moles (carbon's moles), one obtains:

Finally, as all of the subscripts are whole numbers, the empirical formula turns out into:

(d) For the polystyrene, one computes the moles of C and H that are present:

Now, dividing each moles by the smallest moles (either carbon's or hydrogen's moles), one obtains:

Finally, as all of the subscripts are whole numbers, the empirical formula turns out into:

(e) For the orlon, one computes the moles of C, H and N that are present:

Now, dividing each moles by the smallest moles (nitrogen's moles), one obtains:

Finally, as all of the subscripts are whole numbers, the empirical formula turns out into:

Best regards.

the answer is option a.