Can anybody here explain to me how to solve an Emperical and a Molecular Formula?

Question

I really don't get it...why do empirical formula have ratios and how do molecular formula involved in empirical formula...I read some sites..but I can't understamd it,,

anybody who's willing to explain it...you can show some problems..if you want..

well, thanks in advance...

Answer 1

An empirical formula is simply a cancelled-down molecular formula. For example, ethane is C2H6, and can be cancelled down to CH3. Anything with an odd number in can't usually be cancelled down. So C3H8 can't be cancelled down, and the empirical formula is the same as the molecular formula.