Acetic acid has 2 carbon, 4 hydrogen, and 2 oxygen atoms per molecule. What is the empirical formula for acetic acid?

1 Answer
anor277
Jun 22, 2016

The empirical formula is the simplest whole number ratio that defines constituent atoms in a species.

Explanation:

Given the defintion, the empirical formula of #H_3C-CO_2H, C_2H_4O_2#, #=# #CH_2O#. The molecular formula, as it is here, is always a multiple of the empirical formula.

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