What is an empirical formula?

1 Answer
MeneerNask
Oct 7, 2016

The empirical formula gives you the whole number ratio in which elements are present in a compound.

Explanation:

Example:

CH_2O could be the empirical formula for:
CH_2O formalin
C_2H_4O_2
C_3H_6O_3
.....
C_6H_12O_6 glucose or fructose, or...

The empirical number says nothing about real formula or structure.

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