Question

An empirical formula:__________ 1. gives the relative number of ions of each element per formula unit. 2. gives the number of ions of each element per formula unit. 3. uses lines to represent covalent bonds and shows how atoms in a molecule connect or bond to each other. 4. gives the relative number of atoms of each element per formula unit.5. gives the actual number of atoms of each element per formula unit.

Answer 1

4

Step-by-step explanation:

It gives the lowest ratio of the number of atoms of each element per formula unit. This is usually derived by dividing common multiples of the molecular formula thereby reducing the value.

Answer 2

The correct answer is 4. gives the relative number of atoms of each element per formula unit.

Step-by-step explanation:

Empirical formula shows the ratio of elements of which a compound is composed. It is a minimal formula: it does not show the actual number of atoms of each element in the compound, but it shows the relative number of each element in the molecule. For example: butane has the molecular formula C₄H₁₀. It means that it is composed by 4 atoms of C and 10 atoms of hydrogen (actual number of atoms in the molecule). The ratio C:H is 4:10, so the simplest ratio is 2:5 (if we divide by 2). Thus, the empirical formula is C₂H₅ (there are 2 atoms of C for every 5 atoms of H).