What does the word "empirical" in empirical formula mean?

Short Answer

Expert verified
In an empirical formula, 'empirical' means that the formula is based on experimental data. It reflects the simplest, whole-number ratio of atoms in a compound. It does not provide actual number of atoms, which might be given by molecular formula, but gives the simplest, yet meaningful piece of information about the compound.

Step by step solution

01

Definition

Empirical, when referred to in an empirical formula, derives from the word 'empiricism', which is a philosophical belief that all knowledge is based on experience. Therefore, empirical suggests something based on observation or experiment, not just theoretical ideas.
02

Connection to empirical formula

\An empirical formula in chemistry is the simplest, whole-number ratio of atoms in a compound. It does not necessarily show the real number of atoms in each molecule, but the ratio derived from experimental data.
03

Importance of Empirical Formula

The use of the term 'empirical' stresses the fact that this kind of formula is based on empirical evidence - that is, formulas are determined using experimental data, including elemental analysis, which provides the ratio of atoms according to the amount of elements present. It does not provide actual number of atoms, which might be given by molecular formula, but empirical formula is critical as it gives the simplest, most reduced ratio of elements within a molecule, yet meaningful piece of information about the compound.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

What are the empirical formulas of the compounds with the following compositions? (a) 40.1 percent \(\mathrm{C}\) 6.6 percent \(\mathrm{H}, 53.3\) percent \(\mathrm{O}\) (b) 18.4 percent \(\mathrm{C}\) 21.5 percent \(\mathrm{N}, 60.1\) percent \(\mathrm{K}\)

Carbohydrates are compounds containing carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in which the hydrogen to oxygen ratio is 2: 1 . A certain carbohydrate contains 40.0 percent carbon by mass. Calculate the empirical and molecular formulas of the compound if the approximate molar mass is \(178 \mathrm{~g}\).

Monosodium glutamate (MSG), a food-flavor enhancer, has been blamed for "Chinese restaurant syndrome," the symptoms of which are headaches and chest pains. MSG has the following composition by mass: 35.51 percent \(\mathrm{C}, 4.77\) percent \(\mathrm{H}, 37.85\) percent \(\mathrm{O}, 8.29\) percent \(\mathrm{N},\) and 13.60 percent \(\mathrm{Na}\). What is its molecular formula if its molar mass is about \(169 \mathrm{~g} ?\)

For many years the recovery of gold-that is, the separation of gold from other materials-involved the use of potassium cyanide: $$ 4 \mathrm{Au}+8 \mathrm{KCN}+\mathrm{O}_{2}+2 \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O} \longrightarrow 4 \mathrm{KAu}(\mathrm{CN})_{2}+4 \mathrm{KOH} $$ What is the minimum amount of \(\mathrm{KCN}\) in moles needed to extract \(29.0 \mathrm{~g}\) (about an ounce) of gold?

One of the reactions that occurs in a blast furnace, where iron ore is converted to cast iron, is $$ \mathrm{Fe}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{3}+3 \mathrm{CO} \longrightarrow 2 \mathrm{Fe}+3 \mathrm{CO}_{2} $$ Suppose that \(1.64 \times 10^{3} \mathrm{~kg}\) of Fe are obtained from a \(2.62 \times 10^{3}-\mathrm{kg}\) sample of \(\mathrm{Fe}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{3}\). Assuming that the reaction goes to completion, what is the percent purity of \(\mathrm{Fe}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{3}\) in the original sample?

See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Chemistry Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free