Multiple Choice
Which represents the empirical formula for ?
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3. Chemical Reactions
Empirical Formula
Multiple Choice
What is the empirical formula of ?
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Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the molecular formula given: \(\mathrm{H_2 (NO_3)_2}\). This means there are 2 hydrogen atoms and 2 nitrate groups, each nitrate group being \(\mathrm{NO_3}\).
Calculate the total number of each type of atom in the molecule. For hydrogen, there are 2 atoms. For nitrogen, since there are 2 nitrate groups, multiply 1 nitrogen atom per nitrate by 2, giving 2 nitrogen atoms. For oxygen, multiply 3 oxygen atoms per nitrate by 2, giving 6 oxygen atoms.
Write the expanded molecular formula based on the counts: \(\mathrm{H_2 N_2 O_6}\).
To find the empirical formula, determine the greatest common divisor (GCD) of the subscripts (2, 2, and 6). The GCD is 2.
Divide each subscript in the molecular formula by the GCD to simplify the formula to its lowest whole number ratio: \(\mathrm{H_{2/2} N_{2/2} O_{6/2}} = \mathrm{H N O_3}\). This is the empirical formula.
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