Question

Write the empirical formulas for the following compounds:

a) C₂H₅

b) CH₃O

c) C₃H₈O₂

d) C₄H₁₀

Answer 1

To find the empirical formulas, divide the subscripts by the greatest common factor. The empirical formulas for the given compounds are C2H5, CH3O, C3H8O2, and C2H5.

Step-by-step explanation:

The empirical formulas represent the simplest ratio of atoms in a compound. To determine the empirical formula, we need to divide the subscripts by the greatest common factor.

a) C₂H₅: The greatest common factor is 1, so the empirical formula is C₂HȈ5.

b) CHȈO: Again, the greatest common factor is 1, so the empirical formula is CHȈO.

c) CȈ3HȈ8OȈ2: The greatest common factor is 1, so the empirical formula is CȈ3HȈ8OȈ2.

d) CȈ4HȈ10: The greatest common factor is 2, so the empirical formula is CȈ2HȈ5.