Topic 3 - Empirical and Molecular Formula

Question 1

what does empirical formula give you?

Answer 1

the smallest whole number ratio of atoms in a compound

Question 2

how do you calculate empirical formula?

Answer 2

1. list every element in a compound
2. write the experimental masses
3. find the number of moles in each element
4. turn the two numbers into a ratio

Question 3

how is the empirical formula different to a molecular formula?

Answer 3

molecular formula tells you the actual number of atoms of each element in a single molecule

Question 4

how do you work out a molecular formula?

Answer 4

1. find the mass of the empirical formula
2. divide the relative molecular mass by the mass of the empirical formula