Q30E - Chemistry (OpenStax)

Question

Write the molecular and empirical formulas of the following compounds:

a) 

(b) 

(c) 

(d) 

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

 a) Molecular formula: C₄H₈

Empirical formula: CH₂

b) Molecular formula: C₄H₆

     Empirical formula: C₂H₃

c)  Molecular formula: H₂Si₂Cl₄ 

      Empirical formula: HSiCl₂

d)  Molecular formula: H₃PO₄ 

      Empirical formula: H₃PO₄

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 for the compounds is

a) Molecular formula: C₄H₈

b) Molecular formula: C₄H₆

c)  Molecular formula: H₂Si₂Cl₄ 

d)   Molecular formula: H₃PO₄

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 for the compound is  

a) Empirical formula: CH₂

b) Empirical formula: C₂H₃

c)  Empirical formula: HSiCl₂

d)  Empirical formula: H₃PO₄