what are the significances of empirical formula and molecular formula
Answers
Answer:
Determing an Empirical and Molecular Formula. Chemical formulas tell you how many atoms of each element are in a compound, and empirical formulas tell you the simplest or most reduced ratio of elements in a compound.
The molecular formula of a compound has
quantitative significance. It represents :
(i) both the molecule and the molecular mass of the compound
(ii) the respective numbers of different atoms present in one molecule of the compound.
(iii) the ratios of the respective masses of the elements present in the compound.
For example, the formula CO2 means that:
(i) the molecular formula of carbon dioxide is CO2;
(ii) each molecule contains one carbon atom joined by chemical bonds with two oxygen atoms;
(iii) the molecular mass of carbon dioxide is 44, given that the atomic mass of carbon is 12 and that of
oxygen is 16.