Multiple Choice
A compound contains 29% Na by mass. If the only other element present is Cl, what is the empirical formula of the compound?
3. Chemical Reactions
Empirical Formula
Multiple Choice
Which of the following formulas represents an empirical formula?
A
C2H4
B
C4H10
C
C6H12O6
D
CH2O
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that an empirical formula represents the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms of each element in a compound.
For each given formula, determine the ratio of atoms by dividing the subscripts of each element by their greatest common divisor (GCD).
For C2H4, divide both subscripts by 2 to get CH2, which is the empirical formula for this compound.
For C4H10, the subscripts 4 and 10 have a GCD of 2, so dividing gives C2H5, which is the empirical formula for this compound.
For C6H12O6, the subscripts 6, 12, and 6 have a GCD of 6, so dividing gives CH2O, which is the empirical formula for this compound.
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