Question

What is the smallest whole number ratio of the atoms in a compound?

Answer 1

The empirical formula is the simplest whole number ratio that defines constituent atoms in a species. The molecular formula is always a whole number multiple of the empirical formula.

And of course the multiple MIGHT be ONE....

By way of example, we could get an

empirical formula for hexane, C3 H7 i.e. a whole number ratio. The molecular formula is DOUBLE the empirical formula

2 × C3H7 = C6H14......

Answer 2

Answer:

The empirical formula is the simplest whole number ratio that defines constituent atoms in a species. The molecular formula is always a whole number multiple of the empirical formula