How do you calculate an empirical formula

An empirical formula is the simplest ratio of atoms of each element in a compound. You will be given either the mass of each element in the compound or the % mass. 1. Divide each mass (or % mass) by the atomic mass of the element (found in the periodic table). 2. Look at the numbers produced and identify the smallest number. 3. Divide each result from step 1 by the smallest number. 4. The resulting numbers is the ratio of each element. 5. Sometimes the numbers will need to be multiplied to produce whole numbers. 6. These whole numbers will be an empirical formula.

TS
Answered by Tanisha S. Chemistry tutor

7000 Views

See similar Chemistry GCSE tutors

Related Chemistry GCSE answers

All answers ▸

What are ionic bonds?


How does fractional distillation separate different hydrocarbons in crude oil?


Explain how the different dyes in ink are separated by chromatography


What is an ionic compound and how do they form?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning