Multiple Choice
A compound contains 1.0 g of sulfur (S) and 1.5 g of oxygen (O). What is the empirical formula of the compound?
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3. Chemical Reactions
Empirical Formula
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Which of the following formulas represents an empirical formula?
A
C6H12O6
B
C4H8
C
CH2O
D
C2H4O2
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that an empirical formula represents the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms of each element in a compound.
Look at each given formula and determine the ratio of atoms for each element.
For example, in C6H12O6, divide the subscripts by their greatest common divisor (which is 6) to simplify the ratio: C6/6, H12/6, O6/6, resulting in CH2O.
Check the other formulas similarly: C4H8 simplifies to CH2, and C2H4O2 simplifies to CH2O.
Identify which formula is already in the simplest whole-number ratio form; that formula is the empirical formula.
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