CHEMISTRY COMMUNITY

Can the empirical and molecular formula be the same?

Yes, they can! Empirical formula tells you the most reduced form of elements in a compound, while the molecular formula gives you the actual number of those elements. Sometimes a molecular formula's compound can no longer be reduced.

Yes, there are cases when the empirical and molecular formulas are the same. This happens when the molar mass of the calculated empirical formula matches the molar mass given to you for the molecular formula.

Yes, they can! Just make sure you divide the given molar mass by the molar mass of the empirical formula to double check.

Yes, the empirical and molecular can defiantly be the same.

Yes, they can be the same when the molecule, or the molecular formulas, is at the simplest form, then it is the empirical formula.

Yes the molecular and empirical formulas can be the same. Just remember to calculate the molar mass of said compound. Since the empirical formula is the ratio of atoms in relation to the element with the lowest moles.

Yes, the empirical and molecular formula can be the same depending on the molar weight provided by the question. For example, if your empirical formula was H2O and the molar weight provided was 18.02, then the molecular formula would also be H2O.

Yes. If you divide the given molar mass and the molar mass you get by solving the question and the result is 1, then most likely the empirical formulas and the molecular formula will be the same.

Jasmine Chow 1F wrote:Can the empirical and molecular formula be the same?

They can be the same as long as the molar mass of the molecule is equal to the molar mass that would be given by the empirical.

Yes they can. If the molar mass of the empirical formula is the same or relatively similar to that of the molecular formula, then the empirical formula is the molecular formula.

Yes they can, if the combined mass of the empirical formula is the same as the molecular mass given then they are the same.