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Is the molecular weight always a whole number multiple of the empirical formula weight?
Whenever you're dealing with ratios that correspond with the number of atoms in a molecule, they have to be whole numbers. This is because the numbers are representing the number of atoms, and there can only be a whole number of atoms. To put it simply, you can have 3 atoms in a molecule, but you cannot have 3.21 atoms in a molecule.
What else can I help you with?
Can a compounds molecular formula be 2.5 times greater than the empirical formula?
No. It must be a whole number. Since the empirical formula of a compound shows the proportions of the elements in the simplest whole number ratio there is going to be at least one odd number in the formula. Multiplying by 2.5 would then result in you having half an atom somewhere in the molecule, which you can't really have.
An empirical formula may not be the smallest whole number ratio of atoms in a compound true or false?
True. An empirical formula is the simplest whole number ratio of atoms in a compound, but it may not always be the smallest possible ratio. The molecular formula, which gives the exact number of atoms in a compound, may be a multiple of the empirical formula.
Would you expect an empirical formula to be the same even though different masses used?
This question refers to masses of elements as opposed to their molecular formulas. In the example of MgCl2 there will always be Mg in a 1:2 molar ratio with chlorine. Molar mass gives the relationship.
What is the empirical formula of an alkene?
The general formula for a noncyclic alkene is CnH2n, where "n" represents an integer; for a mono cyclic alkene, the general formula is CnH2n-2.
What is the molecular formula for coal?
The molecular formula for coal is mainly composed of carbon, hydrogen, and small amounts of other elements like oxygen and nitrogen. The exact composition can vary depending on the type of coal (e.g., anthracite, bituminous, lignite), but a general formula could be written as CxHyOzNw where x, y, z, and w represent the varying number of atoms for each element.
Can a compounds molecular formula be 2.5 times greater than the empirical formula?
No. It must be a whole number. Since the empirical formula of a compound shows the proportions of the elements in the simplest whole number ratio there is going to be at least one odd number in the formula. Multiplying by 2.5 would then result in you having half an atom somewhere in the molecule, which you can't really have.
Is the number of atoms in a molecular formula always greater than a empirical?
No. A molecular formula can be the same as the empirical formula, such as CH4 (methane), because the two component atoms exist in a ratio that cannot be mathematically further broken down - one carbon to four hydrogens. In this case the molecular formula (the actual number of atoms per molecule), and the empirical formula (the simplest ratio of those numbers) is identical. On the other hand, ethane, C2H6 - two carbons to 6 hydrogens - has a molecular formula of C2H6 and a empirical formula of CH3, the ratio of 2 to 6 reduced to its simplest whole number form. Sooooooooooo, the molecular formula will always be equal to or greater than the empirical formula, and the empirical formula will always be equal to or less than the molecular formula. In other words (as if that wasn't enough), the molecular formula will never be less than the empirical formula and the empirical formula will never be greater than the molecular formula, but THE TWO CAN BE EQUAL. Whew!!! Ray
Would ionic or covalent molecules use the molecular formula or empirical formula?
What you write for an ionic compound is called the formula unit, but the formula unit is almost always the same as the empirical formula. The answer to your question could not be the molecular formula because an ionic compound is not a molecule.
An empirical formula may not be the smallest whole number ratio of atoms in a compound true or false?
True. An empirical formula is the simplest whole number ratio of atoms in a compound, but it may not always be the smallest possible ratio. The molecular formula, which gives the exact number of atoms in a compound, may be a multiple of the empirical formula.
Does a formula show the ratio elements in a compound?
depends, an Empirical formula will always (by definition) show the ratio in which atoms are combined within a molecule. a molecular formula on the other hand shows the number of atoms of each element in a molecule, the only exceptions being massive structures, crystal latices and where a molecular formula cannot be produced and is either given in the form n*(empirical formula) or just the empirical formula. do note however that reference to a formula of a molecule usually refer to the molecular formula except in the exceptions listed above.
How do you find the molecular and empirical formulas?
There is no easy answer to this question. First, it depends what information you have to start with. Do you have the name? Do you know what elements are found in the substance?If you are given the name of the molecule, you can often find the molecular structure of that compound by simply using the Google search engine online and searching for the name. It is often give you the answer! There are certain compounds that you should be familiar with also. Also, there is a set of official rules that determine the name of a specific compound, so that if you have the formula, you can name it correctly, and if you have the name, you can determine the formula. Unfortunately, many chemicals also have common names that do not follow these rules, and you just have to memorize those, or look them up with Google.See the Related Questions and Web Links to the left for some information about how compounds are named and how to go from a formula to a name and vice versa.
How is the Law of definite composition and proportion relate to the empirical formula?
The Law of Definite Composition states that a compound will always have the same proportion of elements by mass. This relates to the empirical formula because the empirical formula gives the simplest whole number ratio of the elements in a compound, which reflects the fixed composition of elements as per the Law of Definite Composition.
Why some compounds have molecular and empirical formula?
The concept of empirical formulas apply to ionic compounds. You write the action first, the anion second, and use the minimal amount of atoms possible to make a neutral compound. A molecular formula would be the formula without necessarily the minimum amount of atoms.
Would you expect an empirical formula to be the same even though different masses used?
This question refers to masses of elements as opposed to their molecular formulas. In the example of MgCl2 there will always be Mg in a 1:2 molar ratio with chlorine. Molar mass gives the relationship.
The empirical formula is always the accepted formula for what?
The lowest whole-number ratio of atoms in a molecule
What is the empirical formula of an alkene?
The general formula for a noncyclic alkene is CnH2n, where "n" represents an integer; for a mono cyclic alkene, the general formula is CnH2n-2.
When using the quadratic formula x always has multiple correct solutions?
Not necessarily. Formula gives two values but they can be identical.
