What is the smallest whole number ratio of the atoms in a compound?

1 Answer
anor277
May 22, 2018

Why the #"empirical formula...."#

Explanation:

The #"empirical formula"# is the simplest whole number ratio that defines constituent atoms in a species. The #"molecular formula"# is always a whole number multiple of the #"empirical formula"#. And of course the multiple MIGHT be ONE....

By way of example, we could get an #"empirical formula"# for hexane, #C_3H_7#, i.e. a whole number ratio. The #"molecular formula"# is DOUBLE the #"empirical formula"#, #2xxC_3H_7=C_6H_14#...

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