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In contrast, the Molecular Formula identifies the absolute number of atoms of such element to be found in each discrete molecule of that compound. For example, Hexane could have a structural Molecular Formula of CH3CH2CH2CH2CH2CH3, implying that it has a straight chain structure, 6 Carbon atoms, and 14 Hydrogen atoms. The hexane molecular formula is C6H14. And the empirical formula for the same molecule would be C3H7 showing a C:H ratio of 3:7. To calculate the empirical formula for two elements (excluding Transition Metal s, Lanthanides and Actinides ), switch the Valency of the two elements involved. For example, equation for water is H2O. The Valency of H (hydrogen) is 1, and the valency of O (oxygen) is 2. Switch the valencies and you get H2O. N.B. This only works for TWO elements. In Physics , an empirical formula is a mathematical Equation that predicts observed results, but has no known theoretical basis to explain why it works. An example was the Rydberg Formula to predict the Wavelength s of Hydrogen Spectral Line s. Proposed in 1888 , it perfectly predicted the wavelengths of the Lyman Series , but until Niels Bohr produced his Bohr Model of the atom in 1913 , nobody knew ''why'' the formula worked. |
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