Question

What is the empirical formula for the following compounds?

A) `Na_2O_2`
B) `C_8H_6O_4`
C) `C_12H_12N_2O_3`
D) `C_4H_6Cl_2`

Answer 1

A. `NaO`
B. `C_4H_3O_2`
C. `C_12H_12N_2O_3`
D. `C_2H_3Cl`

Explanation:

An empirical formula is the lowest ratio of the elements in a compound.

So for each of the compounds above, the GCF of the elements was used to divide the number of the atoms of each element in the formulas of the compounds.