What is the empirical formula for nitroglycerin?

1 Answer
Oct 21, 2015

The molecular formula for nitroglycerin is #"C"_3"H"_5"N"_3"O"_9#.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitroglycerin
This is also the empirical formula.

Explanation:

The empirical formula represents the lowest whole number ratio of elements in a compound. In the case of nitroglycerin, its formula #"C"_3"H"_5"N"_3"O"_9# cannot be reduced further and keep the ratios whole numbers. Therefore, its molecular formula is the same as its empirical formula.