Question

Differentiate between empirical formula and molecular formula
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Answer 1

Answer:

An empirical formula represents the simplest whole-number ratio of various atoms present in a compound. The molecular formula shows the exact number of different types of atoms present in a molecule of a compound.

Explanation:

Answer 2

Empirical Formula:

•An empirical formula represents the simplest whole-number ratio of various atoms present in a compound.

•Example: For Acetylene the empirical formula is CH

•The empirical formula is the simplest formula for a compound which is defined as the ratio of subscripts of the smallest possible whole number of the elements present in the formula.

•It is also known as the simplest formula.

•An empirical formula for a compound is the formula of a substance written with the smallest integer subscript.

•The empirical formula gives information about the ratio of numbers of atoms in the compound.

•The percent composition of a compound directly leads to its empirical formula.

Molecular Formula:

•The molecular formula is the formula derived from molecules and is representative of the total number of individual atoms present in a molecule of a compound.

•A molecular formula uses a subscript that reports the actual number of each type of atom in a molecule of the compound.

•Molecular formulas are associated with gram molecular masses that are simple whole number multiples of the corresponding empirical formula mass.

•The molecular formula shows the exact number of different types of atoms present in a molecule of a compound.

Example: For Acetylene the empirical formula is C2H2