Unit 3, Lesson 8: Finding Empirical Formulae
The Empirical Formula The empirical formula is the smallest whole-number ratio of atoms that represents the molecular composition of a species. For example, the molecules CH2, C2H4, and C3H6 all have the empirical formula CH2. 5 min
Finding the Empirical Formula This is basically the opposite of finding percentage composition. Example: What is the empirical formula of a compound consisting of 80.0% C and 20.0% H? Now You Try: A compound contains 58.5% C, 7.3% H, and 34.1% N. What is the empirical formula of the compound? 15 min
Brain Break!
What to do with decimals... Fraction 0.50 ½ 0.33 1/3 0.67 2/3 0.25 ¼ 0.75 ¾ 0.20 1/5 0.40 2/5 0.60 3/5 0.80 4/5 Example: What is the formula of a compound containing 81.8% C and 18.2% H? Your Turn: What is the empirical formula of a compound containing 39.0% Si and 61.0% O? 15 min
Homework Pg. 93 #46 odd letters 5 min