Empirical Formula and

Molecular Formula
Cyril Bobadilla
12 – STEM
 What’s the difference between the two sets of chemical formulas?

Molecular Formula Empirical Formula

C2H4 CH2
Before we
begin: C10H22 C5H11
N2O4 NO2
H2O H2O
 The empirical formula of a compound
gives the smallest whole number ratio of
atoms that makes up the compound. It is
the simplest formula of a compound.
Empirical
Formula Example:
CH2 Methylene C5H11 Pentyl Group

NO2 Nitrogen Dioxide H2O Oxidane/Water

 The molecular formula is the true formula
of a compound. It shows the actual
number of atoms of each element
present in one molecule of the
Molecular compound.
Formula
Example:
C2H4 Ethylene C10H22 Decane

N2O4 Dinitrogen tetroxide H2O Water

Steps in determining the empirical formula of a compound
1. If in percentage, Determine the empirical formula of a compound found
multiply by 100 g. to have the following composition: 1.59% hydrogen,
2. Divide each element 22.2% nitrogen, and 76.2% oxygen
by their atomic weight.
3. Divide all quotients
with the smallest
quotient.
4. The numbers
obtained are the
subscripts.
5. Make it a whole
integer if decimal.
Steps in determining the empirical formula of a compound
1. If in percentage, Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) cures scurvy. It is composed
multiply by 100 g. of 40.92% C, 4.58% H, and 54.50 % O by mass.
2. Divide each element Determine its empirical formula.
by their atomic weight.
3. Divide all quotients
with the smallest
quotient.
4. The numbers
obtained are the
subscripts.
5. Make it a whole
integer if decimal.
Steps in determining the molecular formula of a compound
1. Molecular weight Determine the molecular formula of a compound
must be given. containing 27.3 g of carbon, 4.55 g of hydrogen and
2. Determine the 36.4 g of oxygen. The molecular weight of the
empirical formula. compound is 90 g/mol
3. Compute the
“empirical formula
weight” by adding all
the relative masses
4. Find the multiple
molecular weight
X=
empirical
molecular weight

5. Multiply the multiple

by the subscript.
Steps in determining the molecular formula of a compound
1. Molecular weight A piece of iron ore is found to contain a compound
must be given. containing 72.3% iron and 27.7% oxygen with a
2. Determine the molecular mass of 231.4 g/mol. What is the molecular
empirical formula. formula of the compound?
3. Compute the
“empirical formula
weight” by adding all
the relative masses
4. Find the multiple
molecular weight
X=
empirical
molecular weight

5. Multiply the multiple

by the subscript.