Difference between revisions of "Empirical formula"
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| − | An '''empirical formula''' is a [[chemical formula]] which describes a whole number ratio for the | + | An '''empirical formula''' is a [[chemical formula]] which describes a whole number ratio for the [[atom]]s 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>. The emperical formula is used in certain kinds of experimental chemical analysis, which 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 02:24, September 19, 2007
An empirical formula is a chemical formula which describes a 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. The emperical formula is used in certain kinds of experimental chemical analysis, which 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.