A chemist isolates a new compound.

What data
do you think the chemist will want to find about
the compound?
Empirical formula is just the simplest whole number
ratio of atoms in a compound

Molecular formula Empirical formula

C8H10
C6H6
H2O2
C2H4O2
C2H4Br2
Combustion analysis
A compound is found to contain 40% Carbon by mass, 6.7%
Hydrogen by mass, and 53.3% Oxygen by mass. It has a
molecular mass of 180g/mol.
What is its
(a) empirical formula (b) molecular formula

C H O
% composition
A compound is found to contain 40% Carbon by mass, 6.7%
Hydrogen by mass, and Oxygen. It has a molecular mass of
180g/mol.
What is its
(a) empirical formula (b) molecular formula

C H O
% composition 40% 6.7%
A compound is found to contain 40% Carbon by mass, 6.7%
Hydrogen by mass, and Oxygen. It has a molecular mass of
180g/mol.
What is its
(a) empirical formula (b) molecular formula

C H O
% composition 40% 6.7% 53.3%
A compound is found to contain 40% Carbon by mass, 6.7%
Hydrogen by mass, and Oxygen. It has a molecular mass of
180g/mol.
What is its
(a) empirical formula (b) molecular formula

C H O
% composition 40% 6.7% 53.3%
Divide by Ar
A compound is found to contain 40% Carbon by mass, 6.7%
Hydrogen by mass, and Oxygen. It has a molecular mass of
180g/mol.
What is its
(a) empirical formula (b) molecular formula

C H O
% composition 40% 6.7% 53.3%
Divide by Ar 3.3333 6.7 3.33125
A compound is found to contain 40% Carbon by mass, 6.7%
Hydrogen by mass, and Oxygen. It has a molecular mass of
180g/mol.
What is its
(a) empirical formula (b) molecular formula

C H O
% composition 40% 6.7% 53.3%
Divide by Ar 3.3333 6.7 3.33125
Divide by smallest
A compound is found to contain 40% Carbon by mass, 6.7%
Hydrogen by mass, and Oxygen. It has a molecular mass of
180g/mol.
What is its
(a) empirical formula (b) molecular formula

C H O
% composition 40% 6.7% 53.3%
Divide by Ar 3.3333 6.7 3.33125
Divide by smallest 1.0006 2.0113 1
A compound is found to contain 40% Carbon by mass, 6.7%
Hydrogen by mass, and Oxygen. It has a molecular mass of
180g/mol.
What is its
(a) empirical formula (b) molecular formula

C H O
% composition 40% 6.7% 53.3%
Divide by Ar 3.3333 6.7 3.33125
Divide by smallest 1.0006 2.0113 1
RATIO
A compound is found to contain 40% Carbon by mass, 6.7%
Hydrogen by mass, and Oxygen. It has a molecular mass of
180g/mol.
What is its
(a) empirical formula (b) molecular formula

C H O
% composition 40% 6.7% 53.3%
Divide by Ar 3.3333 6.7 3.33125
Divide by smallest 1.0006 2.0113 1
RATIO 1 2 1
A compound is found to contain 40% Carbon by mass, 6.7%
Hydrogen by mass, and Oxygen. It has a molecular mass of
180g/mol.
What is its
(a) empirical formula (b) molecular formula

C H O
% composition 40% 6.7% 53.3%
Divide by Ar 3.3333 6.7 3.33125
Divide by smallest 1.0006 2.0113 1
RATIO 1 2 1
Empirical formula
A compound is found to contain 40% Carbon by mass, 6.7%
Hydrogen by mass, and Oxygen. It has a molecular mass of
180g/mol.
What is its
(a) empirical formula (b) molecular formula

C H O
% composition 40% 6.7% 53.3%
Divide by Ar 3.3333 6.7 3.33125
Divide by smallest 1.0006 2.0113 1
RATIO 1 2 1
Empirical formula CH2O
 A compound is found to contain 40% Carbon by mass, 6.7%
Hydrogen by mass, and Oxygen. It has a molecular mass of
180g/mol.
What is its
(a) empirical formula (b) molecular formula

The empirical formulas is CH2O

The molecular mass is 180g/mol

Work out the empirical formula mass

= 12 + 2 + 16
= 30

Multiplication factor = Molecular mass / Empirical formula mass

180 / 30 = 6
CH2O x 6 = C6H12O6
 Talk, talk talk…
In your own words, explain how chemists determine the
molecular formula of a new compound.