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Empirical Formulas
In chemistry, the empirical formula of a chemical compound is the simplest positive integer ratio of atoms of each element present in a compound. You can determine the empirical formula of a compound based on: a. mass relations of elements obtained from experimental data b. percentage and composition of the compound.
To find the simplest whole number ratio, divide by the smallest value. If you get unusual decimals like 0.5, 0.33, and 0.25 are rounded off to the nearest whole number.
ELEMENT MASS (g) ATOMIC MASS (g) 27.0 16.0 MOLE
Al O
0.545 0.485
0.020 2 0.030 3
Molecular Formula
The molecular formula of the substance is a whole number multiple of the empirical formula. Below are some samples that illustrates the relationship.
Multiple x Empirical Formula 2 x NH Molecular Formula/Name
3 x CH 6 x CH O
N H ,
To determine the molecular formula of a substance, the empirical formula and the molecular mass must be known.
Molecular Formulas
Sample Problem: 1 Caffeine found in tea is a white solid that contains 49.5% carbon, 5.20% hydrogen, 28.8% nitrogen, and 16.5% oxygen by mass. Its molecular mass is 194.1 g/mole. Find the molecular formula. Solution: Calculate first for the empirical formula.
Element Mass (g) Atomic Mass (g) 12.0 1.0 14.0 16.0 Mole Mole Ratio
C H N O
4 5 2 1
Molecular Formulas
The empirical formula of caffeine is CHNO. To get the molecular formula: Molecular mass = 194.1 Formula mass of CHNO = 97 (CHNO)x = 94.1 97x = 194.1 x=2 The molecular formula is (CHNO)2 = CHO
Sample Problem: 2 Cholesterol, which has a molar mass of 368 g/mole, is composed of 84.0% C, 11.85% H, and 4.15% O by mass. Find its molecular formula. Solution: Determine the simplest formula.
Element Mass (g) Atomic Mass (g) 12.0 1.0 16.0 Mole Mole Ratio
Molecular Formulas
C H O
27 46 1
The simplest formula of cholesterol is CHO. To get the molecular formula: Molecular mass = 386 Formula mass = 386 (CHO)x = 386 386x = 386 x=1 The molecular formula of cholesterol is CHO
Molecular Formula