Final answer:
The empirical formula for the compound K2C2O4 is KCO2, which represents the simplest whole number ratio of its elements: one potassium, one carbon, and two oxygen atoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The empirical formula for the compound K2C2O4 reflects the simplest whole number ratio of atoms in the compound. To determine this, each subscript in the formula is divided by the greatest common divisor. In this case, 2 is the greatest common divisor for all subscripts in the original formula (K2C2O4).
Dividing the subscripts by 2, the empirical formula becomes KCO2. This shows that in the simplest whole number terms, there is one potassium atom, one carbon atom, and two oxygen atoms in the compound. It is important to note that this empirical formula represents the simplest form, which may or may not be the same as the molecular formula that shows the actual number of atoms in a molecule of the compound.
The empirical formula of a compound is the simplest whole number ratio of atoms in that compound. To determine the empirical formula of K2C2O4, we need to calculate the molar amounts of carbon and oxygen in the sample. Given that the formula of potassium oxalate is K2C2O4, we can see that the ratio of potassium (K) to carbon (C) to oxygen (O) is 2:2:4. Simplifying this ratio gives us the empirical formula, which is CO2.