Two substances have the same molecular and empirical formulas. Does this mean that they must be the same compound?

Short Answer

Expert verified
If two substances have the same molecular and empirical formulas, it means they have the same number of atoms of each element in their molecules, and these atoms are also in the same simplest whole-number ratio. Since molecular formulas represent the exact number and type of atoms in a molecule, they must be the same compound.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Molecular and Empirical Formulas

Molecular formulas represent the exact number of atoms of each element in a molecule, whereas empirical formulas represent the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms of each element present in a compound. For example, the molecular formula of glucose is C6H12O6, and its empirical formula is CH2O (where the ratio of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms is 1:2:1). It is possible for two different compounds to have the same empirical formula, but different molecular formulas due to different arrangements of atoms in their molecules.
02

Analyzing the meaning of same molecular and empirical formula

If two substances have the same molecular and empirical formulas, it means they have the same number of atoms of each element in their molecules, and these atoms are also in the same simplest whole-number ratio. Because molecular formulas represent the exact number and type of atoms in a molecule, if two substances have the same molecular formula, they must be the same compound. The empirical formula provides additional confirmation that the proportion of elements in the compounds is the same.
03

Conclusion

Since two substances have the same molecular and empirical formulas, this means they have the same number of atoms of each element in their molecules, and these atoms are in the same simplest whole-number ratio. Therefore, they must be the same compound.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Write the empirical formula corresponding to each of the following molecular formulas: (a) \(\mathrm{Al}_{2} \mathrm{Br}_{6}\), (b) $\mathrm{C}_{8} \mathrm{H}_{10}\( (c) \)\mathrm{C}_{4} \mathrm{H}_{8} \mathrm{O}_{2}$ (d) \(\mathrm{P}_{4} \mathrm{O}_{10}\) (e) $\mathrm{C}_{6} \mathrm{H}_{4} \mathrm{Cl}_{2}\( (f) \)\mathrm{B}_{3} \mathrm{~N}_{3} \mathrm{H}_{6}$

Predict the chemical formulas of the ionic compound formed by (a) \(\mathrm{Fe}^{3+}\) and \(\mathrm{OH}^{-}\), (b) \(\mathrm{Cs}^{+}\) and \(\mathrm{NO}_{3}^{-},(\mathbf{c}) \mathrm{V}^{2+}\) and (e) \(\mathrm{In}^{3+}\) and \(\mathrm{O}^{2-}\). $\mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{COO}^{-},(\mathbf{d}) \mathrm{Li}^{+}\( and \)\mathrm{PO}_{4}^{3-}$,

Fill in the blanks in the following table: $$ \begin{array}{l|l|l|l|} \hline \text { Cation } & \text { Anion } & \text { Formula } & \text { Name } \\\ \hline \mathrm{Ni}^{2+} & \mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{COO} & & \text { Sodium carbonate } \\ & & & \\ \mathrm{Ca}^{2+} & \mathrm{F}^{-} & & \\ & & \mathrm{Cu}\left(\mathrm{ClO}_{4}\right)_{2} & \\ & & & \\ & & & \\ \hline \end{array} $$

Give the name or chemical formula, as appropriate, for each of the following binary molecular substances: (a) $\mathrm{SF}_{6},(\mathbf{b}) \mathrm{IF}_{5},\( (c) \)\mathrm{XeO}_{3}$, (d) dinitrogen tetroxide, (e) hydrogen cyanide, (f) tetraphosphorus hexasulfide.

How many hydrogen atoms are in each of the following: (a) $\mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{5} \mathrm{OH},\( (b) \)\mathrm{Ca}\left(\mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{5} \mathrm{COO}\right)_{2}\(, (c) \)\left(\mathrm{NH}_{4}\right)_{3} \mathrm{PO}_{4} ?$

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