Formulas

Percent composition allow you to calculate the simplest

ratio among the atoms found in compound.

Empirical Formula – formula of a compound that expresses

lowest whole number ratio of atoms.

Molecular Formula – actual formula of a compound showing

the number of atoms present

Examples:
C4H10 - molecular C6H12O6 - molecular
C2H5 - empirical CH2O - empirical
 Formulas

Is H2O2 an empirical or molecular formula?

Molecular, it can be reduced to HO

HO = empirical formula
 Calculating Empirical Formula
An aluminum Oxide is formed by the reaction of 4.151 g of
aluminum with 3.692 g of oxygen. Calculate the empirical formula.

1. Determine the number of grams of each element in the compound.

4.151 g Al and 3.692 g O

2. Convert masses to moles.

4.151 g Al 1 mol Al
= 0.1539 mol Al
26.98 g Al

3.692 g O 1 mol O
= 0.2308 mol O
16.00 g O
 Calculating Empirical Formula
An aluminum oxide is formed by the reaction of 4.151 g of aluminum
with 3.692 g of oxygen. Calculate the empirical formula.

3. Find ratio by dividing each element by smallest amount of moles.

0.1539 moles Al = 1.000 mol Al

0.1539

0.2308 moles O = 1.500 mol O

0.1539

4. Multiply by common factor to get whole number. (cannot have

fractions of atoms in compounds)

O = 1.500 x 2 = 3 therefore, Al2O3

Al = 1.000 x 2 = 2
 Calculating Empirical Formula
A 4.550 g sample of cobalt reacts with 5.475 g chlorine to form a
binary compound. Calculate the empirical formula for this
compound.

4.550 g Co 1 mol Co = 0.07721 mol Co

58.93 g Co

5.475 g Cl 1 mol Cl
= 0.1544 mol Cl
35.45 g Cl

0.07721 mol Co 0.1544 mol Cl

=1 =2
0.07721 0.07721

CoCl2
Molecular Formula –
actual formula of a
compound showing
the number of atoms
present
 Calculating Molecular Formula
A white powder is analyzed and found to have an
empirical formula of P2O5. The compound has a molar
mass of 283.88g. What is the compound’s molecular
formula?
Step 3: Multiply
Step 1: Molar Mass
P = 2 x 30.97 g = 61.94g (P2O5)2 =
O = 5 x 16.00g = 80.00 g
141.94 g
Step 2: Divide Empirical Formula Mass P4O10
by Molar Mass

238.88 g
=2
141.94g
 Calculating Molecular Formula
A compound has an experimental molar mass of 78 g/mol.
Its empirical formula is CH. What is its molecular
formula?

C = 12.01 g (CH)6 =
H = 1.01 g
13.01 g
C6H6

78 g/mol
=6
13.01 g/mol
Regional Senior High School (SHS) Mass Training
of Grade 11 Teachers on Academic s
June 20 - 25, 2016