Empirical Formula

The definition of an empirical formula is to take a molecule and put it into the simplest whole number ratio. Be sure to remember that ionic compounds are usually already in empirical formula.

Here is an example: C2 H6 ----------------> CH3

The 2 IN C2H6 is the molecular formula (tells you what and how many are in a molecule). We'll get to the molecular formula later.

The 1 in CH3 is the empirical formula (simplest whole number ratio).

Here are two more examples to finding the E.F.:

C9H16 ----------> C9H16
C62H4O12 ---------> C31H2O6
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Finding the empirical formula is easy, you just have to follow some steps.
First, go from percent to mass
Second, mass to moles
Third, divide by the smallest
Fourth, multiply until it's whole

Here is an example by using the steps above in order to find the E.F.:

And there is how to solve E.F. in a nutshell!