Question

What are the empirical formulas for tetraphosphorous decaoxide (P4O10) and ethane (C2H6)?

Answer 1

Well `P_2O_5` and `CH_3`....

Explanation:

The empirical formula is the SIMPLEST whole number ratio defining constituent atoms in a species. And here the species are (i) `P_4O_10`, and (ii) `C_2H_6`...so HALVE the molecular formulae...to get `P_2O_5`...and `CH_3`...