0
Is the number of atoms in a molecular formula always greater than a empirical?
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
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
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
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.
What is the difference between a formula unit and a molecular formula?
Molecular formulas refer to covalently bonded substances (molecules). The molecular formula shows the exact number of atoms of each element present in the smallest unit of the substance. For example, benzene is a molecule composed of six carbon and six hydrogen atoms and has a formula C6H6.A formula unit refers to ionic compounds and network solids (both are crystals). Because in ionic crystals each ion is electrostatically bonded to every oppositely charged nearest neighbor, the ions in the whole crystal can be thought of as part of one single bonded entity. It is the same with network solids except that the bond is covalent. So rather than using a formula that shows all of the elements present in any one particular crystal, the formula unit shows the elements present in the smallest whole number ratio. In a common example, sodium chloride, the formula unit is NaCl since sodium and chloride are present in the crystal in a 1:1 ratio. The NaCl crystal itself, however, would have >>quintillians each of Na and Cl if it was big enough to see with the unaided eye. It is important to not confuse formula units with emprical formulas. Emprical formulas are simply the lowest whole number ratio of elements in a compound. Formula units are always empirical, whereas molecular formulas are usually not. For example, the empirical formula of benzene, C6H6, is CH, since there is a 1 to 1 ratio of C to H. Note that several molecules can have the same empirical formula. For example acetylene, with molecular formula C2H2, also has the same empirical formula as benzene, even though the two molecules are very different! Water, H2O, is an example of a molecular formula that is also empirical.A formula unit is the symbolic representation of an ionic compound or network solid, and a molecular formula is the symbolic representation of a molecular compound.See the Web Links and Related Questions links for more information.
How do you determine a empirical formula?
The empirical formula is when you can not simplify the formula any further. Let's use the formula for glucose, C6 H12 O6 That is the molecular formula of glucose. The Empirical Formula of Glucose would be C1 H2 O1, because you can divide each element by 6. As for a compound such as ammonia N H3, that is it's Molecular Formula. It's empirical formula would be N H3 as well because it can not be simplified any further.
What is the formula for magnesium and fluorine?
Magnesium (II) fluoride, MgF2 Formula weight: 62.302 grams/moleSee the Related Questions for how to calculated the molecular weight of any molecule!
What alkene has the formula c3h6?
Yes. It is called hexane because of the six carbon atoms per molecule.
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.
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.
What is the molecular formula for coal?
1 is always the answer
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.
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.
What element has a chemical formula of CH2O?
This NOT an element, but an organic compound. CH2O is the empirical/molecular formula for methanal , formerly known as formaldehyde. Methanal is a member of the homologous series known as aldehydes. the chemical formula for aldehydes is ALWAYS written as XCHO. Hence for methanal it is HCHO NOT CH2O NB Note the 'A' in the name. NNB Ethanal formula is CH3CHO NNNB An element is a quantity/mass of the atom. Two or more atoms combined make a compound.
How can you prove that in carbon there is no salt?
In (chemistry) and biology, Carbon (C) is an element, and salt(s) are always molecular compounds. For example, table salt molecular formula is NaCl = sodium + chlorine.
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.
Does empirical rules always apply to discrete probability distribution?
the empirical rules of probablility applies to the continuous probability distribution
Is it always true that the molecules of dense liquid are heavier than the molecules of lighter molecules?
NO. Water has a density greater than gasoline, but gasoline, octane anyway, has a greater molecular mass than water molecules.
What are the di?
Diatomic elements consist of two atoms.The formula of these elements are always written with a subscript 2 in its symbol to indicate its molecular composition.examples: H2,O2.
