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The empirical formula is the simplest ratio of the elements within a compound. Therefore, it can be used to calculate the percentage of an element within a compound.

For example, the empirical formula for sodium chloride is NaCl. From this, we can see that the ratio of sodium ions to chloride ions is 1Na : 1Cl. Therefore, a sodium chloride molecule is composed of 50% sodium and 50% chloride.

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13y ago
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14y ago

No, some times they are same. the molecule in which any type of atoms are in prime numbers (divisible by themselves only) then empirical and molecular formula are same as C12H22O11 and C3H7Cl

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Q: Can the empirical formula be used to calculate the percent composition of a compound?
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Which could represent the empirical and the formula of a given compound?

The empirical formula is representative for the chemical composition of a compound; the structural formula is representative for the spatial structure of the compound.


What does an empirical formula show?

the empirical formula of a compound tells you the proportions of the elements in the compound. with that information you can make some inferences about the identity of the compound. for example a compound with an empirical formula CH4 tells us that for every carbon atom there are four hydrogen atoms. this means that the compound is methane because no other hydrocarbon can have these roportions (try drawing the lewis structure for C2H8, which doesnt exist. you cant!)


How do you know if a formula is an empirical formula?

An empirical formula has no data about the structure of a compound.


Explain why the percent composition of certain compounds are not sufficient to determine the compounds molecular formulas?

Because unlike the empirical formula, the molecular formula does not have to be the simplest ratio.If by chance you are given the percent composition of the elements in a substance, you could calculate the empirical formula and then the empirical formula's mass. However, the molecular formula equation is molecular formula= (empirical formula)n, where n is the mass of the molecular formula divided by the mass of the empirical formula. You would, therefore, need to know the mass belonging to the molecular formula, which you are not given.


Do you simplify empirical formula ratios?

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

Related questions

What is the importance of percentage composition?

Percent composition can be used to calculate the percentage of an element/compound in a mixture. From the percent composition, you can also find the empirical formula. And from the empirical formula you can find the actual molecular weight.


Which could represent the empirical and the formula of a given compound?

The empirical formula is representative for the chemical composition of a compound; the structural formula is representative for the spatial structure of the compound.


Empirical formulas describe the types of atoms in a compound and their?

An empirical formula give information about the chemical composition of a compound. Example: tetracycline with the empirical formula C22H24N2O8 has the following composition: - carbon 59,44 % - oxygen 28,81 % - nitrogen 6,30 % - hydrogen 5,45 % If you're with plato the answer is ratios


How do you know when to solve for a empirical formula?

If it tells you to find the empirical formula when percent composition is given or if the mass of each element is given in a specific compound.


What is the percent composition of a compound with the empirical formula CO2?

One atom of carbon, two of oxygen.


Calculate the empirical formula of a compound formed from 3 percent C 0.3 percent H and 96.7 percent you Which formula below correctly represents the empirical formula?

Chi a+


What is the empirical formula for the compound X39Y13?

X3Y is the empirical formula


Calculate the empirical formula of a compound formed from 3 percent c 3 percent h and 96 7 percent you which formula below correctly represents the empirical formula?

CHI3


What does an empirical formula show?

the empirical formula of a compound tells you the proportions of the elements in the compound. with that information you can make some inferences about the identity of the compound. for example a compound with an empirical formula CH4 tells us that for every carbon atom there are four hydrogen atoms. this means that the compound is methane because no other hydrocarbon can have these roportions (try drawing the lewis structure for C2H8, which doesnt exist. you cant!)


How do you know if a formula is an empirical formula?

An empirical formula has no data about the structure of a compound.


What information is needed to calculate the percent composition of a compound?

The formula of the compound and the Atomic Mass of its elements.


Explain why the percent composition of certain compounds are not sufficient to determine the compounds molecular formulas?

Because unlike the empirical formula, the molecular formula does not have to be the simplest ratio.If by chance you are given the percent composition of the elements in a substance, you could calculate the empirical formula and then the empirical formula's mass. However, the molecular formula equation is molecular formula= (empirical formula)n, where n is the mass of the molecular formula divided by the mass of the empirical formula. You would, therefore, need to know the mass belonging to the molecular formula, which you are not given.