Question

Which of the following is not an empirical formula?

C3H8O
C2N2H8
Sb2S3
BeCr2O7

Answer 1

The Answer would be C2N2H8 because it could be farther split apart by dividing by 2.

Answer 2

Answer: The compound which is not an empirical formula is
`C_2N_2H_8`

Step-by-step explanation:

Empirical formula is defined as the formula in which atoms in a compound are present in simplest whole number ratios.

For the given options:

Option A:
`C_3H_8O`

This compound is made by the combination of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. The mole ratio of the elements are
`C:H:O::3:8:1`

Option B:
`C_2N_2H_8`

This compound is made by the combination of carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen. The mole ratio of the elements are
`C:N:H::2:2:8`

This ratio can be reduced to lowest numbers. The empirical formula of this becomes
`C_(2/2)N_(2/2)H_(8/2)=CNH_4`

Option C:
`Sb_2S_3`

This compound is made by the combination of tin and sulfur atoms. The mole ratio of the elements are
`SB:S::2:3`

Option D:
`BeCr_2O_7`

This compound is made by the combination of beryllium, chromium and oxygen. The mole ratio of the elements are
`Be:Cr:O::1:2:7`

Hence, the compound which is not an empirical formula is
`C_2N_2H_8`