what is the difference between emirical formulas and molecular formulas?

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what is the difference between emirical formulas and molecular formulas?

2006-12-30 15:02:07 · 2 answers · asked by alien_shan 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry

2 answers

Empirical formula is the most simple ratio of elements in a compound CH2O

Molecular formula is the actual number of each element in a compound C6H12O6

2006-12-30 15:06:05 · answer #1 · answered by Mr. G 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋

molecular formulas represent the actual number of atoms in the stable molecule. But empirical formulas represent only a simple whole number ratio of the number of the combining atoms.
Eg----methane (CH4)---CH4 is both the empirical and molecular formula
consider the empirical formula CH. the compound can by C2H2 (ethyne) or benzene(C6H6).

molecular formula = n(empirical formula)
n = molecular mass/empirical formula mass

2006-12-30 15:10:29 · answer #2 · answered by guyfromthesky 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋