Finding the Empirical Formula (from Masses of Percentages)

Question 1

What does the empirical formula give you?

Answer 1

The smallest whole number ratio of atoms in a compound

Question 2

What is the first step in calculating empirical formula? (List)

Answer 2

List all the elements in the compound (usually only two or three)

Question 3

What is the second step in calculating empirical formula? (Underneath)

Answer 3

Underneath them, write their experimental masses or percentages

Question 4

What is the third step in calculating empirical formula? (Divide)

Answer 4

Divide each mass or percentage by the relative atomic mass for that particular element

Question 5

What is the fourth step in calculating empirical formula? (Turn)

Answer 5

Turn the numbers you get into a nice simple ratio by multiplying and/or diving them by well-chosen numbers (e.g x10)

Question 6

What is the fifth step in calculating empirical formula? (Get)

Answer 6

Get the ratio in its simplest form - tells you empirical formula of compounds

Question 7

Check out example page 19

Answer 7

Ok