Understanding Empirical and Molecular Formulas

What is an empirical formula?

• A formula that shows the exact number of atoms of each element in a compound.

• A formula that shows the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms in a compound.

• A formula that shows the arrangement of atoms in a molecule.

• A formula that shows the molecular weight of a compound.

What is a molecular formula?

• A formula that shows the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms in a compound.

• A formula that shows the exact number of atoms of each element in a compound.

• A formula that shows the arrangement of atoms in a molecule.

• A formula that shows the empirical weight of a compound.

Which of the following is an example of an empirical formula?

How do empirical and molecular formulas differ?

• Empirical formulas show the exact number of atoms, while molecular formulas show the simplest ratio.

• Empirical formulas show the simplest ratio, while molecular formulas show the exact number of atoms.

• Both show the exact number of atoms.

• Both show the simplest ratio.

• All of the above

Which of the following statements is true?

• The empirical formula is always the same as the molecular formula.

• The molecular formula is always a multiple of the empirical formula.

• The empirical formula is always a multiple of the molecular formula.

• The molecular formula is always simpler than the empirical formula.

Which of the following is not a characteristic of an empirical formula?

• It shows the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms.

• It can be the same as the molecular formula.

• It shows the exact number of atoms in a molecule.

• It is derived from the molecular formula.

• All of the above