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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