MOL AIRLINES

Jacob Jeter, Maccoy Merrell,

Levi Villarreal, Bryce Mottley

Number

ALL HAIL HONORABLE JUDGE

RESTIVO!
Carbon

Hydrogen

Nitrogen

Oxygen

Found

Formula

Chemical

Person

67.31

6.98

4.62

21.10

Blood and
luggage

C17H21NO4

Cocaine

Bill Cadillac
Seville

2a

63.15

5.30

31.55

briefcase

2b

46.66

4.48

31.10

17.76

stomach

72.15

7.08

4.68

16.03

15.87

2.22

18.15

5a

75.42

6.63

5b

37.01

C8H8O3

Vanillin

JemCreme
Leclaire

CHNO

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

7a

80.94

7.45

9.39

2.68

briefcase

C40H44N4O

Curare

7b

81.58

8.90

9.52

luggage

C20H26N2

Dimetacrine

8a

60.00

4.48

35.53

pocket and
briefcase

C9H8O4

Aspirin

Connie Lou
Majors

8b

63.56

6.00

9.27

21.17

pocket and
briefcase

C8H9NO2

Acetaminophen

Archer
Starr
Lisa Jo
Elderberry

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. Olderes 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
Seville, Bill
Cadillac

Deductions
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
PreEmpiric
al

Element

%
(Grams)

GFWT

Carbon

67.31

12

5.61

16.998

16.998
(17)

Hydroge
n

6.98

6.98

21.15

21.15
(21)

Nitrogen

4.62

14

.33

1
(1)

Oxygen

21.10

16

1.31875

3.9962

3.9962
(4)

Quotient Smallest

.33

Factor

# of
atoms

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

1x14=14

14/303

4.6

Oxygen

16x4=64

64/303

21.1

Total

43

303

100

Suspect #2

Deductions
French Pastry Chef

LeClaire,
JemCreme

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

PreEmpirical

Carbon

63.15

12

5.2625

2.6700

Hydroge
n

5.30

5.3

2.6877

Nitrogen

14

Oxygen

31.55

16

1.9719

1.9719

Vanillin C8H8O3 Found in Vanilla

Factor

# of
atoms
8.010
(8)
8.063

(8)
X
3
(3)

Theobromine C7H8N4O2 Found in chocolate

Element

%
(Grams)

GFWT

Quotient Smallest

PreEmpirical

Carbon

46.66

12

3.8883

3.503

Hydroge
n

4.48

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

# of
atoms

(8)
4.002
(4)
2
(2)

Percent Composition
Element

Number of
Atoms

GFWT

Work

% Composition

Carbon

12x8=96

96/152

63.1

Hydrogen

1x8=8

8/152

5.2

Nitrogen

14x0=0

0/152

Oxygen

16x3=48

48/152

31.57

Total

19

152

100

Vanillin C8H8O3 Found in Vanilla

Theobromine C7H8N4O2 Found in chocolate
Element

Number of
Atoms

GFWT

Work

% Composition

Carbon

12x7=84

84/180

46.67

Hydrogen

1x8=8

8/180

4.44

Nitrogen

14x4=56

56/180

31.11

Oxygen

16x2=32

32/180

17.77

Total

180

100

Suspect #3

Deductions
Pro Athlete suspended for drug violations

Henderson, Reno
Bob

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

PreEmpirical

Carbon

72.15

12

6.0125

18.001

Hydroge
n

7.08

7.08

21.197
.334

Factor

18.001
(18)
21.197
1

Nitrogen

4.68

14

.334

Oxygen

16.03

16

1.002

# 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

Nitrogen

14x1=14

14/299

4.68

Oxygen

16x3=48

48/299

16.05

Total

299

100

Suspect #4

Deductions
Suspended pilot because of heart condition.

Oldere, Amadeo
G.

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

PreEmpirical

Carbon

15.87

12

1.3225

1.020

Hydroge
n

2.22

2.22

1.7124
1.2964

Factor

3.06
(3)
5.1372
3

Nitrogen

18.15

14

1.2964

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

12x3=36

36/227

15.85

Hydrogen

1x5=5

5/227

2.2

Nitrogen

14x3=42

42/227

18.5

Oxygen

16x9=144

144/227

63.4

Total

227

100

Suspect #5

Deductions
Suspected leader of terrorist organization

Anderson,
Norman

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
Element

%
(Grams)

GFWT

PreQuotient Smallest Empirica Factor

l

Carbon

75.42

12

6.285

10.510

Hydroge
n

6.63

6.63

11.087
.598

21.02
(21)
22.174
2

Nitrogen

8.38

14

.599

1.002

Oxygen

9.57

16

.598

# of
atoms

(22)
2.004
(2)
2
(2)

Strychnine C21H22N2O2 - Poison

Trinitrotoluene C7H5N3O6 - Explosive

Element

%
(Grams)

GFWT

PreQuotient Smallest Empirica Factor

l

Carbon

37.01

12

3.084

2.334

Hydroge
n

2.22

2.22

1.6
1.3214

7.002
(7)
4.8
3

Nitrogen

18.50

14

1.3214

Oxygen

42.27

16

2.6419

1.999

# of
atoms

(5)
3
(3)
5.997

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

14x2=28

28/334

8.4

Oxygen

16x2=32

32/334

9.6

Total

334

100

Trinitrotoluene C7H5N3O6 - Explosive

Strychnine C21H22N2O2 - Poison

Element

Number of
Atoms

GFWT

Work

% Composition

Carbon

12x7=84

84/227

37

Hydrogen

1x5=5

5/227

Nitrogen

14x3=42

42/227

18.5

Oxygen

16x6=96

96/227

42.3

Total

227

100

Suspect #6
Star, Archer

Deductions
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

PreEmpirical

Carbon

57.14

12

4.7617

7.0025

Hydroge
n

6.16

6.16

9.0588
.68

Factor

14.005
(14)
18.118
2

Nitrogen

9.52

14

.68

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

14x2=28

28/294

9.5

Oxygen

16x5=80

80/294

27.21

Total

294

100-ish

Suspect #7

Deductions
Severely depressed environmental engineer

Elderberry, Lisa
Jo

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 antidepressant medicine.
The poison was found in her briefcase, while
the anti-depressant was in her briefcase.

Empirical Formula
Element

%
(Grams)

GFWT

Quotient

Carbon

80.94

12

6.745

40.269

Hydroge
n

7.45

7.45

44.478

Smallest Pre-Empirical

.1675

# of
atoms

Factor

40.269
(40)
44.478
(44)

Nitrogen

9.39

14

.6707

4.004

Oxygen

2.68

16

.1675

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.

4.004
(4)
1
(1)

Dimetacrine C10H13N (or C20H26N2) Anti-Depressa

Element

%
(Grams)

GFWT

Quotient Smallest

Pre-Empirical

Carbon

81.58

12

6.7983

9.9975

Hydroge
n

8.90

8.90

13.088

Nitrogen

9.52

14

.68

Oxygen

16

.68

Factor

# of
atoms
19.995
(20)
26.176

(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

14x4=56

56/596

9.4

Oxygen

16x1=16

16/596

2.7

Total

596

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

14x2=28

28/294

9.5

Oxygen

16x0=0

0/294

Total

294

100

Suspect #8

Deductions
Chemist/Pharmacist

Majors, Connie
Lou

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

PreEmpirical

Carbon

60.00

12

2.25

Hydroge
n

4.48

4.48

2.017

Nitrogen

14

Oxygen

35.53

16

2.22

2.22

Factor

# of
atoms
9.006
(9)
8.0699

(8)
X
4
(4)

Tylenol C8H9NO2 Treats aches

Aspirin C9H8O4 Treats pain

Element

%
(Grams)

GFWT

PreQuotient Smallest Empirica Factor

l

Carbon

63.56

12

5.297

7.999

Hydroge
n

6.00

6.00

9.0615
.662

7.999
(8)
9.0615
1

Nitrogen

9.27

14

.662

Oxygen

21.17

16

1.323

1.9982

# of
atoms

(9)
1
(1)
1.9982

Percent Composition
Element

Number of
Atoms

GFWT

Work

% Composition

Carbon

12x9=108

108/180

60

Hydrogen

1x8=8

8/180

4.44

Nitrogen

14x0=0

0/180

Oxygen

16x4=64

64/180

35.55

Total

180

100

Aspirin C9H8O4 Treats pain

Tylenol C8H9NO2 Treats aches
Element

Number of
Atoms

GFWT

Work

% Composition

Carbon

12x8=96

96/151

63.58

Hydrogen

1x9=9

9/151

Nitrogen

14x1=14

14/151

9.27

Oxygen

16x2=32

32/151

21.2

Total

151

100

CONCLUSION
The chemical found at the blast site had the same percent composition
as chemical 5b, which was also found in someones 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.