The 4 awesome steps in determining the empirical formula
1. Start with the number of grams of each element, given in the problem.
3. Divide each mole value by the smallest number of moles calculated.
4. Round to the nearest whole number.
- If percentages are given, assume that the total mass is 100 grams so that the mass of each element = the percent given.
3. Divide each mole value by the smallest number of moles calculated.
4. Round to the nearest whole number.
- If the number is too far to round, then multiply each solution by the same factor to get the lowest multiple
Example
Answer: CaO2H2
Molecular formula
- Represents the actual formula for the substance
In order to find the molecular formula for a problem:
- Determine the mass of the empirical formula
- Then, divide that mass into the molar mass