Question

mass = Q6. A compound of sulfur was analysed to determine its empirical formula. (1) State the meaning of the term empirical formula.

Answer 1

The empirical formula of a compound represents the simplest, most reduced ratio of elements in the compound.

The empirical formula of a compound represents the simplest, most reduced ratio of elements in the compound.

The formula provides the relative number of atoms of each element in the compound but does not necessarily give the actual number of atoms. In other words, the empirical formula shows the fundamental building blocks of the compound, indicating the elemental composition in the smallest whole-number ratio.

For example, if a compound has the molecular formula
`\(C_6H_(12)O_6\)`, its empirical formula would be
`\(CH_2O\)` since all subscripts can be divided by 6 to simplify the ratio.