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Empirical Formula

The document discusses how to calculate the empirical formula of a compound from its percent composition. It is a multi-step process: 1) Convert the percent composition to mass in grams, assuming a 100g sample 2) Convert the mass of each element to moles 3) Divide the moles of each element by the smallest number of moles to obtain mole ratios and determine the simplest whole number ratio. This process is demonstrated through worked examples calculating the empirical formulas of barium carbonate and hydrogen cyanide from their percent compositions.

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Jessalee Raika Dieza Dait
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346 views20 pages

Empirical Formula

The document discusses how to calculate the empirical formula of a compound from its percent composition. It is a multi-step process: 1) Convert the percent composition to mass in grams, assuming a 100g sample 2) Convert the mass of each element to moles 3) Divide the moles of each element by the smallest number of moles to obtain mole ratios and determine the simplest whole number ratio. This process is demonstrated through worked examples calculating the empirical formulas of barium carbonate and hydrogen cyanide from their percent compositions.

Uploaded by

Jessalee Raika Dieza Dait
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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EMPIRICAL FORMULA

The empirical formula is the


simplest whole-
number ratio of the atoms in a
compound.
Let us consider a certain
compound that is
composed of 69% Ba,
6.090% C and 24.32% O.
What is the Empirical
formula of this
compound?

3
Let us consider a certain
compound that is composed of
69% Ba, 6.090% C and 24.32%
O. What is the Empirical
formula of this compound?

69.58% Ba = 69.58 g Ba
6.090% C = 6.090 g C
24.32% O = 24. 32 g O

Covert the percent composition to an actual mass (


in grams). Assume that the compound is 100g.

4
Ba = 69.58 g Ba x = 0.5068 mol Ba

C = 6.090 g C x = 0.5071 mol


C
✘ 

O = 24.32 g O x = 1.520 mol O

Covert the mass of each element to moles of that


element.

5
Ba = = 1.000

C = = 1.001
✘ 

O = = 2.999

Divide the moles of the elements by the smallest


number of moles.

6
Mole ratio is 1.000 : 1.001
: 2.999
1:1:3

Empirical Formula : BaC03

Write the empirical formula.

7
How to Calculate?

Step 1. Convert the percent composition to


an actual mass (in grams). Assume that the
compound is 100g.

8
How to Calculate?

Step 2. Convert the mass of each element


to moles of that element

9
How to Calculate?

Step 3. Divide all the moles of the elements


present by the smallest number of moles. In case
the moles ratios are not whole numbers, multiply
all the mole ratios by a number to make them
whole numbers.

10
A solution of hydrogen cyanide in water is called
hydrocyanic acid or prussic acid. It was
discovered in 1782 by a Swedish chemist, Carl
Wilhem Scheele, who prepared it form the
pigment Prussian blue. Hydrocyanic acid is
composed of 3.74 % hydrogen, 44.43% carbon,
and 51. 83% nitrogen. What is its empirical
formula?

11
Step 1. Convert the percent composition to
an actual mass (in grams). Assume that the
compound is 100g.

3.76% H = 3.74 g H

44.43% C = 44.43 g C

51.83 % N = 51.83 g N

12
Step 2. Convert the mass of each element
to moles of that element

 H = 3.73 g H x = 3.693 mol H

C = 44.43 g C x = 3.699 mol C

O = 51.83 g N x = 3.700 mol O

13
Step 3. Divide all the moles of the elements present
by the smallest number of moles. In case the moles
rations are not whole numbers, multiply all the mole
ratios by a number to make them whole numbers.

Mole ratio is 3.693 : 3.699 :


3.700

1:1:1

Empirical Formula : HCN


14
A 1.261 g sample of caffeine, a stimulant
for the central nervous system, contains
0.624 g C, 0.065 g H, 0.364 g N and
0.208 g O. What is the empirical formula
of caffeine?
Answer: C4H5N2O1

15
A newly synthesized compound has a
percent composition of 40.92% carbon,
4.58% hydrogen, and 54.50% oxygen.
What is the compound’s empirical
formula?
Answer: C3H4O3

16
A way to remember those steps:

A Poem by Joel
Thompson: Percent to
mass
Mass to mole
Divide by small
Multiply ‘til whole

17
EMPIRICAL FORMULA
CALCULATOR

https://en.intl.chemicala
id.com/tools/empiricalfo Place your screenshot
here

rmula.php

18
ACTIVITY

1.Put it in a 1 whole sheet of


yellow paper.

2.Show your complete


solution
THANK
S!

20

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