Empirical formula
Empirical formula is the simplest formula.
Empirical formula is found by dividing the equal factors in no. of atoms in a molecular formula.
Eg.: i)C₆H₁₂O₆ is the molecular formula of Glucose. So the empirical formula is CH₂O
ii) H₂O₂ is the molecular formula of Hydrogen peroxide. So the empirical formula is HO.
Relation between Molecular formula and Empirical formula:
I) Molecular formula = n × empirical formula
where, 'n' represent the equal factor that is being cancelled from the molecular formula to find the empirical formula
Eg: n = 2; Empirical formula = HO. Find the molecular formula
Molecular formula = n × empirical formula
Molecular formula = 2 × HO
Molecular formula = H₂O₂
II) n = Molecular mass/ empirical mass
Eg.: Molecular formula - H₂O₂; Empirical formula - HO. Find 'n'
Molecular mass is calculated by finding the mass of molecular formula
Therefore the molecular mass of H₂O₂ - 34
Empirical mass is calculated by finding the mass of Empirical formula
Therefore the empirical mass of HO - 17
n = Molecular mass/ empirical mass
n = 34/17
n = 2
