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    Chapter 1 Empirical Formulas

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    Chapter 1 Empirical Formulas

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    boatcom
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    Chapter-1-Empirical-Formulas

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    Chapter 1 Empirical Formulas

    Uploaded by

    boatcom

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    EMPIRICAL FORMULAS (FORMULAE)

    “Empirical Formula is the simplest representation of a compound with its


    atoms shown in correct ratios of small whole numbers”

    “MolecularFormula is the representation of a compound with its atoms


    shown in whole numbers as actually present in a single molecule of the
    substance”

    EXAMPLES OF COMPOUNDS WITH SAME EMPIRICAL


    FORMULAS, BUT DIFFERENT MOLECULAR FORMULAS

    Compound Actual Mol. Formula Empirical


    Formula
    1. Acetic Acid C2 H4 O2 C H2 O
    Glucose C6 H12 O6 C H2 O

    2. Sorbic Acid C6 H8 O2 C3 H4 O
    Acrolein CHO C3 H4 O

    3. Propionaldehyde C3 H6 O C3 H6 O
    Caproic Acid C6 H12 O2 C3 H6 O
    HOW TO CALCULATE EMPIRICAL FORMULA FROM
    EXPERIMENTAL SAMPLE COMBUSTION DATA
    Example: Question #1-65

    A hydrocarbon (i.e. compound which contains only C and H atoms) is


    burned, and gives only CO2 and H2O as products. The CO2 and H2O
    produced are collected and weighed.

    Experimental Data
    CO2 mass = 3.701 g
    H2O mass = 1.082 g

    Steps to Calculate Empirical Formula of Hydrocarbon:

    1. Set up generic balanced equation for combustion of Hydrocarbon (Cn


    Hm)

    Cn Hm + x O2 nCO2 + m/2 H2O


    
    [Note, just for interest: x = n + m/4]

    2. Calculate moles of CO2 formed


    Note: Moles of CO2 formed = Moles of C in original hydrocarbon compound

    CO2 mass = 3.701 g

    j CO2 moles = 3.701/(12.01 + 2x15.99) = 0.0841 moles = n


    j moles of C in original compound = 0.0841
    3. Calculate moles of H2O formed
    Note: Moles of H2O formed = ½ Moles of H in original hydrocarbon
    compound
    H2O mass = 1.082 g

    j H2O moles =1.082/(2x1.008 + 15.99) = 0.0601 = m/2

    j Moles of H = m = 2x0.0601 = 0.1202 moles

    4. Generate Crude Empirical Formula, based on what you know.

    Empirical Formula for Hydrocarbon = Cn Hm


    Substitute values you have just calculated for n and m:

    C0.0841 H0.1202
    5. Convert Formula to Simple Whole Numbers.

    (a) Divide by smallest number = 0.0841

    Gives C H 1 1.429
    (b) Convert to simple, small whole numbers:(Note: Only Chemistry
    Professors might be expected to have the following weird information
    stored away in the dark recesses of their minds!)

    0.429 = 3/7

    j 1.429 = 7/7 + 3/7 = 10/7


    j C:H = 7/10
    j Empirical Formula = C7H10

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