Question

What is an empirical formula?

Answer 1

Empirical formula

• The empirical formula refers to the simplest ratio of the number of atoms present in the compound.
• The molecular formula gives the information about the total number of atoms, whereas, the empirical formula gives the information about the simplest ratio of the atoms.

Example

• Hydrogen peroxide, the molecular formula is ${\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_2$ and the empirical formula is $\mathrm{HO}$.
• Glucose, the molecular formula is ${\mathrm{C}}_6{\mathrm{H}}_{12}{\mathrm{O}}_6$ and the empirical formula is ${\mathrm{CH}}_2\mathrm{O}$.