Q29E - Chemistry (OpenStax)

Question

Write the molecular and empirical formulas of the following compounds:\(\begin{aligned}{\underline{\phantom{xx}}}a)O = C = O\\b)H - C \equiv C - H\end{aligned}\) 

c)

(d) 

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

 a) Molecular formula: CO₂ 

      Empirical formula: CO₂

b) Molecular formula: C₂H₂

     Empirical formula: CH

c)  Molecular formula: C₂H₄ 

      Empirical formula: CH₂

d)  Molecular formula: H₂SO₄ 

      Empirical formula: H₂SO₄

Step 1: Determine the definition of molecular formula

A molecular formula is a representation of a molecule that uses chemical symbols to indicate the type of atoms. It is also used as abbreviations for the names of compounds. Molecular formula of the given compounds will be 

a) Molecular formula: CO₂ 

b) Molecular formula: C₂H₂

c)  Molecular formula: C₂H₄ 

d)  Molecular formula: H₂SO₄ 

Step 2: Determine the definition of empirical formula

Empirical formula indicates the types of atoms present and the simplest whole-number ratio of the number of atoms (or ions) in the compound. Empirical formula of the given compounds will be

a)     Empirical formula: CO₂

b)      Empirical formula: CH

c)      Empirical formula: CH₂

d)      Empirical formula: H₂SO₄