Multiple Choice
A compound contains 29% Na by mass. If the only other element present is Cl, what is the empirical formula of the compound?
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3. Chemical Reactions
Empirical Formula
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Which of the following formulas represents an empirical formula?
A
C2H4
B
C4H10
C
C6H12O6
D
CH2O
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that an empirical formula represents the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms of each element in a compound.
For each given formula, determine the ratio of atoms by dividing the subscripts of each element by their greatest common divisor (GCD).
For C2H4, divide both subscripts by 2 to get CH2, which is the empirical formula for this compound.
For C4H10, the subscripts 4 and 10 have a GCD of 2, so dividing gives C2H5, which is the empirical formula for this compound.
For C6H12O6, the subscripts 6, 12, and 6 have a GCD of 6, so dividing gives CH2O, which is the empirical formula for this compound.
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