December 1 2010 - Empirical and Molecular Formulas

Happy December ~ ! Only about 2 more weeks until it's winter break. (:

So we learned about the empirical formula and the molecular formula. What exactly are they?

The empirical formula is a formula used to shrink down the ration of atoms (or moles) in a formula. All ionic compounds are empirical formulas!

For example, C4H10, which is butane in its molecular formula, would be C2H5 in its empirical formula.

The molecular formula is the form of the empirical formula showing the actual number of atoms that combine to form a molecule.

To calculate the molecular formula, you use this equation :

n = molar mass of the compound / molar mass of the empirical formula