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Which chemical formula is not an empirical formula?

a) p₄o10 bacl₂
b) 8h₂o (cl = chlorine)
c) k₂s c₄h₆o₃

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The chemical formula P₄O₁₀ is not an empirical formula because it can be reduced to a simpler whole-number ratio, P₂O₅, which is its empirical formula.

Step-by-step explanation:

The chemical formula that is not an empirical formula among the options provided is P₄O₁₀. An empirical formula represents the simplest whole-number ratio of elements in a compound. P₄O₁₀, which is also known as phosphorus pentoxide, is the molecular formula and can be reduced to its empirical formula, P₂O₅. The options 8H₂O and C₄H₆O₃ are not empirical formulas either, as their subscripts can be reduced to simplified ratios (for example, 8H₂O can be simplified to H₂O). In contrast, BaCl₂ and K₂S are already in their simplest whole-number ratios and thus represent empirical formulas.

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