Question

Explain why an empirical formula alone cannot be used to derive the actual molecular formula for a given compound. Provide one or more examples.

Answer 1

Because an empirical formula only shows the most simple ratio between elements in a compound while the molecular formula gives the actual number of each element in a certain molecule. Take the example of glucose. It has a molecular formula of
`C_6H_(12)O_6`. However, the smallest ratio between the atoms are 1:2:1 respectively. So the empirical formula would be
`CH_2O`. Clearly not representing the molecular formula.

Step-by-step explanation: