Empirical Formula Review

Front

What is an empirical formula?

Back

An empirical formula is the simplest whole number ratio of elements in a compound.

Front

How do you determine the empirical formula from percentage composition?

Back

Convert the percentages to grams, then to moles, and find the simplest ratio of moles.

Front

Which of the following is an example of an empirical formula: C6H12O6 or CH2O?

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CH2O is an empirical formula.

Front

What is the empirical formula of a compound with 40% carbon and 60% oxygen?

Back

The empirical formula is CO.

Front

If a compound has the molecular formula C4H8, what is its empirical formula?

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The empirical formula is C2H4.

Front

What is the empirical formula of a compound containing 50% sulfur and 50% oxygen?

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The empirical formula is SO.

Front

How do you simplify a molecular formula to find the empirical formula?

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Divide the subscripts in the molecular formula by their greatest common divisor.

Front

What is the empirical formula of a compound with 72.2% magnesium and 27.8% nitrogen?

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The empirical formula is Mg3N2.

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Which pair of compounds has the same empirical formula: C2H4O2 and C6H12O6?

Back

Yes, both have the empirical formula CH2O.

Front

What is the empirical formula of water?

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The empirical formula of water is H2O.