Question

The molecular formula and the empirical formula is the same for methane.

• A. True
• B. False

Answer 1

The correct option is A True

• Molecular formula: Molecular formula of any compound gives us the description of the actual number of atoms of each different element present in a compound. It is the most commonly used formula and is a multiple of the empirical formula.
• Empirical formula: Empirical formula of the compound represents the simplest or most reduced ratio of different atoms present in a compound. In other words, the simplified formula of any compound is called its empirical formula.
• In general, the relation between the molecular formula and the empirical formula is given as;

$\mathbf{MOLECULAR}\mathbf{\hspace{0.17em}}\mathbf{FORMULA}\mathbf{}\mathbf{=}\mathbf{}\mathbf{n}\mathbf{}\mathbf{\times }\mathbf{}\mathbf{EMPIRICAL}\mathbf{\hspace{0.17em}}\mathbf{FORMULA}$

where ‘n’ is a whole number.

For example; The empirical formula of acetylene is $\mathbf{CH}$while its molecular formula is${\mathbf{C}}_{\mathbf{2}}{\mathbf{H}}_{\mathbf{2}}$, where n = 2.

• The empirical and molecular formula of the compound can be the same only if the molecular formula cannot be reduced anymore.

For example; The empirical formula of methane is ${\mathbf{CH}}_{\mathbf{4}}$ and its molecular formula is also the same i.e.${\mathbf{CH}}_{\mathbf{4}}$. This is for the reason that the molecular formula of methane can't be simplified further and thus it is the same to its empirical formula.

Thus, the given statement is TRUE i.e. the molecular formula and the empirical formula is the same for methane