Explain the terms empirical formula and molecular formula.

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Solution

Empirical Formula:-
It is a simple formula.
It corresponds to the per cent composition of a compound.
It represents the relative number of atoms of each element in one molecule of the compound..
Example: -
The empirical formula of glucose $(C_{6} H_{12} O_{6})$ is ${CH}_{2} O$ . It indicates that the ratio of $C, H$ and $O$ atoms in a molecule of glucose is $1 : 2 : 1 .$
Molecular Formula: -
The molecular formula can be derived from the empirical formula when the molecular mass of the compound is known.
$M o l e c u l a r f o r m u l a = e m p i r i c a l f o r m u l a \times n$
$(W h e r e, n = m o l e c u l a r m a s s / e m p i r i c a l f o r m u l a m a s s)$

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