How can you determine if the molecular formula of a compound is the same as its empirical formula?

1 Answer
anor277
May 22, 2017

Well, you need an estimate of molecular mass....................

Explanation:

As you know the #"empirical formula"# is the simplest whole number ratio that defines constituent atoms in a species. The #"molecular formula"# is a whole number ratio of the #"empirical formula"#, and of course, the ration MIGHT be one, i.e.:

#"molecular formula"# #-=# #nxx"(empirical formula)"#.

There exist a variety of sporting techniques to get the molecular formula, i.e. an estimate of molecular mass: e.g. boiling point elevation; osmotic pressure; freezing point depression.

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