Empirical and Molecular Formulas

Front

What is an empirical formula?

Back

An empirical formula represents the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms of each element in a compound.

Front

What is a molecular formula?

Back

A molecular formula shows the actual number of atoms of each element in a molecule of a compound.

Front

How do you determine the empirical formula from percent composition?

Back

Convert the percentages to grams, then to moles, and simplify the mole ratio to the smallest whole numbers.

Front

What is the empirical formula of C6H12O6?

Back

CH2O

Front

What does the subscript in a chemical formula indicate?

Back

The subscript indicates the number of atoms of the element in the molecule.

Front

If a compound has a molecular formula of C4H10, what is its empirical formula?

Back

C2H5

Front

What is the empirical formula for a compound with 50% carbon and 50% hydrogen?

Back

CH

Front

How do you convert a molecular formula to an empirical formula?

Back

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

Front

What is the empirical formula of Mg4N3?

Back

MgN

Front

If a compound has an empirical formula of CF3, what could its molecular formula be?

Back

C2F6 or C3F9, etc. (any multiple of the empirical formula).