Difference between revisions of "Empirical formula"
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| − | A chemical formula that tells you a simple, whole number ratio for the atoms in a molecule.<ref>Wile, | + | A chemical formula that tells you a simple, whole number ratio for the atoms in a molecule.<ref>Wile, Jay L. ''Exploring Creation With Chemistry''. Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc. 1998.</ref> An empirical formula indicates only the ratio, not the number of each kind of atom in the molecule. For example, [[hexane]] has six carbon atoms and fourteen hydrogen atoms. Its molecular formula is thus C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>14</sub>, but its empirical formula is C<sub>3</sub>H<sub>7</sub>. This is because certain kinds of experimental chemical analysis can show the ratio or relative number of atoms in the molecule, but not necessarily the actual number of atoms in the molecule. |
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Revision as of 21:36, April 14, 2007
A chemical formula that tells you a simple, whole number ratio for the atoms in a molecule.[1] An empirical formula indicates only the ratio, not the number of each kind of atom in the molecule. For example, hexane has six carbon atoms and fourteen hydrogen atoms. Its molecular formula is thus C6H14, but its empirical formula is C3H7. This is because certain kinds of experimental chemical analysis can show the ratio or relative number of atoms in the molecule, but not necessarily the actual number of atoms in the molecule.
See also
References
- ↑ Wile, Jay L. Exploring Creation With Chemistry. Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc. 1998.