Monday, July 10, 2017

1.32: Know What is Meant by the Terms Empirical Formula and Molecular Formula



EMPIRICAL FORMULA: Simplest whole number ratio of atoms of each Element in the Compound
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  • Calculated from knowledge of the ratio of masses of each Element in the Compound
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Example:
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A compound that contains 10 g of Hydrogen and 80 g of Oxygen has an empirical formula of H2O. This can be shown by the following calculations:
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Amount of Hydrogen Atoms = Mass in Grams ÷ Ar of Hydrogen = (10 ÷ 1) = 10 Mol

Amount of Oxygen Atoms = Mass in Grams ÷ Ar of Oxygen = (80 ÷ 16) = 5 Mol


The Ratio of Moles of Hydrogen Atoms to Moles of Oxygen Atoms:

                      Hydrogen            Oxygen

Moles                 10             :            5

Ratio                   2              :            1


Ratio of Hydrogen Atoms to Oxygen Atoms is 2: 1

Hence, the Empirical Formula is H2O







MOLECULAR FORMULA: Exact number of atoms of each Element present in the formula of the Compound
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  • Divide the Relative Formula Mass of the Molecular Formula by the Relative Formula Mass of the Empirical Formula
  • Multiply this to each number of Elements
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RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EMPIRICAL AND MOLECULAR FORMULA:
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NAME OF COMPOUND
EMPIRICAL FORMULA
MOLECULAR FORMULA
METHANE
CH4
CH4
ETHANE
CH3
C2H6
ETHENE
CH2
C2H4
BENZENE
CH1
C6H6
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Example:
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The Empirical Formula of X is C4H10S1 and the Relative Formula Mass of X is 180
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What is the Molecular Formula of X?
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RELATIVE FORMULA MASS:       Carbon : 12      Hydrogen : 1      Sulfur : 32

STEP 1 - Calculate Relative Formula Mass of Empirical Formula

               ( C x 4 ) + ( H x 10 ) + ( S x 1)    =   ( 12 x 4 ) + ( 1 x 10 ) + ( 32 x 1)   =   90


STEP 2 - Divide Relative Formula Mass of X by Relative Formula Mass of Empirical         
               Formula

               180 / 90 = 2

STEP 3 - Multiply Each Number of Elements by 2

              ( C 4 x 2 ) + ( H 10 x 2 ) + ( S 1 x 2 )     =    ( C 8 ) + ( H 20 ) + ( S 2 )

                                                                              Molecular Formula of X = C8H20S2

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