Empirical Molecular Formula NOTES 2015.

notebook December 19, 2016

The molecular formula represents the 
actual number of atoms in a compound.
The empirical formula represents the 
simplest whole number ratio of atoms in 
a compound.

What is the empirical formula for each of 
the following?

C6H10I2O4

C15H36N6

C10H16O4

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Empirical Molecular Formula NOTES 2015.notebook December 19, 2016

Determine the molecular formula, 
given an empirical formula of SO2 and 
a molecular weight of 192.3g/mol.

Calculate the empirical formula of a 
compound that contains 33.88% copper 
14.94% nitrogen, and 51.18% oxygen.
1) Assume 100 grams of compound
2) Change % to grams, then grams to moles
3) Divide all answers by smallest # of
moles to get simplest mole ratio
4) Ratios become subscripts
5) Must use whole numbers as subscripts

2
Empirical Molecular Formula NOTES 2015.notebook December 19, 2016

Calculate the empirical formula of a 
compound that contains 33.88% copper 
14.94% nitrogen, and 51.18% oxygen.

A sample is found to contain 
40.00% carbon,  6.71% hydrogen 
and 53.29% oxygen.  Calculate the 
empirical formula.

3
Empirical Molecular Formula NOTES 2015.notebook December 19, 2016

If the compound with empirical formula CH2O 
has a molecular weight of 180.0g/mol, what is 
the molecular formula?