Which is an empirical formula?
1 P2O5
2 P4O6
3 C2H4
4 C3H6

P₂O₅ is an empirical formula

Given

compounds

Required

an empirical formula

Solution

The empirical formula is the smallest comparison of the atoms forming the compound.

Molecular formulas are formulas that show the number of atomic elements that make up a compound.

(empirical formula) n = molecular formula

1. P₂O₅ : the ratio of compounds cannot be further reduced to whole numbers⇒empirical formula

2. P₄O₆ : molecular formula

(P₂O₃)₂=P₄O₆

P₂O₃ : empirical formula

3.C₂H₄ : molecular formula

(CH₂)₂=C₂H₄

CH₂ : empirical formula

4. C₃H₆ : molecular formula

(CH₂)₃=C₃H₆

CH₂ : empirical formula

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