Empirical Formula

What is empirical formula?

The empirical formula is the simplest ratio of atoms in a compound. It could be ionic or covalent
compounds.

For example, if you have a molecular formula of C6H6 then this could be simplified to just CH, by dividing
both atoms by 6. So, its really just a simple maths thing i.e. can you divide all the atoms by the same
number?

Glucose has the molecular formula C6H12O6. Again we could divide all the atoms by 6 to give CH2O.

Or if you had a molecular formula of Al2O3 (aluminium oxide), we cant simplify this any further, therefore
the empirical formula and molecular formula are both Al2O3.

Calculations

Most questions focus on calculating the empirical formula from data. These are usually very easy as you
just have to follow these simple rules:

1. Divide percentage (or grams) given for all elements by atomic mass.

2. Divide throughout by the smallest number.

You are just working out the moles of each element and then converting the numbers to whole numbers
a useful ratio.

Examples

A compound contains 49.9% Sr, 13.7% C and 36.4% O by mass. What is the empirical formula?

Sr C O

49.9 13.7 36.4

87.6 12 16

= 0.57 1.14 2.28

0.57 0.57 0.57

= 1 2 4

Therefore the empirical formula is SrC2O4.

 Dont worry if the numbers arent exactly a whole number. If you get for example 1.003 or 3.994 or
something similar then that is close enough.

Calcium nitride contains 81.1% by mass of calcium. What is the empirical formula?

If 81.1% is calcium then 100-81.1 must be nitrogen = 18.9% nitrogen

Ca N

81.1 18.9
40 14

= 2.02 1.35
1.35 1.35

= 1.5 1

This time we have not got a nice whole number for both elements. A ratio of 1.5:1 is not that useful. So
we need to think what is the easiest way to get a whole number? multiply 1.5 x 2 3 and we therefore
have to multiply N x 2 as well.

We now get a ratio of 3:2 and empirical formula Ca3N2

In the example above the value for Ca was not a whole number. This is ok. As long as it is around .5
then we can simply double the values. Other possibilities are .33 or .67, in those cases you should
multiply by 3. But most examples will give a whole number.

Molecular Formula

Another favourite question is to calculate the molecular formula from the empirical formula. This is also
very easy. To do this, you must have the RMM of the compound.

Example

1.73g of sodium reacts with 1.20g of oxygen. What is the empirical formula? The molar mass of the
compound formed is 78g mol-1. What is the molecular formula?

Na O

1.73 1.20
23 16

= 0.075 0.075
0.075 0.075
 = 1 1

Therefore the empirical formula is NaO.

To get the molecular formula, firstly, calculate the RMM of NaO = 39g. We know the RMM of the
compound is 78, therefore we must have two units of NaO 78.

So we need to multiply NaO x 2 Na2O2, which is the molecular formula.

If the RMM of the empirical formula is the same as the RMM given for the compound, then the
empirical formula and molecular formula are the same.