Acetic acid has 2 carbon, 4 hydrogen, and 2 oxygen atoms per molecule. What is the empirical formula for acetic acid?

1 Answer
anor277
Jun 22, 2016

The empirical formula is the simplest whole number ratio that defines constituent atoms in a species.

Explanation:

Given the defintion, the empirical formula of H_3C-CO_2H, C_2H_4O_2, = CH_2O. The molecular formula, as it is here, is always a multiple of the empirical formula.

Related questions
See all questions in Empirical and Molecular Formulas
Impact of this question
11296 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License