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

10231 Views

See similar Chemistry GCSE tutors

Related Chemistry GCSE answers

All answers ▸

What mass of carbon dioxide is produced from burning 100 grams of ethanol in oxygen according to this reaction: C2H5OH + 3 O2 --> 2 CO2 + 3 H2O


How can we calculate product yield using reactants and reaction stoichiometry?


Crude oil is a fossil fuel - what is a fossil fuel and how is crude oil separated into its fractions?


How can I check if my reaction equations are correct?


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:

© 2026 by IXL Learning