Question

Which statement is true about an empirical formula?

1. It is the true ratio of atoms in a formula unit.
2. It is the simplest ratio of atoms in a formula unit.
3. It represents the true molecular mass of a chemical formula.
4. It represents the highest ratio of coefficients in a chemical formula.

Answer 1

2. It is the simplest ratio of atoms in a formula unit.

Step-by-step explanation:

The empirical formula refers to how to provide the minimum proportion in which chemical elements combine into one substance. Sometimes it may happen that the minimum formula is equal to the molecular formula of the compound; However, this is not always true. In short, the empirical formula refers to the simplest ratio of atoms in a unit of formula.

For example, the empirical or minimal formula of water is H2O, indicating that there is a 2: 1 ratio between the elements that make up water molecules. And, coincidentally, this is also the molecular formula of water.

Answer 2

The statement that is true about an empirical formula is it is the simplest ratio of atoms in a formula unit. The answer is number 2. The rest of the statements do not answer the question above.