Empirical Formula

Question 1

If percents are given what can you assume the total mass is (grams)?

Answer 1

100 grams

Question 2

What unit do you want your answer in?

Answer 2

Moles

Question 3

Step 1: Given you want moles, how do you convert your percent and mass into moles.

Answer 3

(mass) * (1mol/Atomic mass)

Question 4

Step 2: Once Step 2 is complete and you have converted each atom to moles what is your next step?

Answer 4

Divide each atoms moles by the smallest amount of moles
(For example if there are 3 atoms, once the amount of moles for each atom is found, divided all answers by the smallest amount of moles in the 3 atoms)

Question 5

Final step: Once step 2 is complete whats left to do?

Answer 5

Round each answer to the nearest whole number

Question 6

How do you calculate molecular formula?

Answer 6

(molar mass of molecule)/(Empirical formula)

note for the Empirical formula you would put (#of atoms * mass)