Chemical Formula Calculation

What is the empirical formula?

The empirical formula is the simplest whole number ratio of the atoms of the elements present in a compound. It represents the lowest whole number ratio of atoms in a molecule of a chemical substance. The empirical formula is determined by analyzing the elemental composition of a compound, either through chemical analysis or spectroscopic techniques.

Empirical Formula

To find the empirical formula, we first need to analyze the elemental composition provided in the data:

C - 6.8%

O - 3.0%

Br - 90.2%

Converting the percentages to a decimal form, we have:

C - 0.57

O - 0.19

Br - 1.12

Dividing through by the lowest ratio, we get:

C - 3

O - 1

Br - 6

Explanation

The empirical formula represents the simplest whole number ratio of the elements present in a compound. In this case, the compound contains carbon, oxygen, and bromine with percentages given. By converting these percentages to decimals and dividing by the lowest ratio, we determine the empirical formula to be C3OBr6. This formula represents the lowest whole number ratio of atoms in the compound.

Understanding the empirical formula helps in determining the basic composition of a compound and provides essential information about its molecular structure.