Writing Empirical Formulas

[Aedra Li 3H]

Once you have determined how much of each compound is required for an empirical formula, how do you know what order to write the compounds in when you are rewriting whole empirical formula?

[Alice Chang 2H]

TIL:

I just found this online, hope this helps!

There's something called Hill System. This is the system of writing chemical formulas. In this system the carbon atoms are first, then hydrogen atoms and then other in alphabetical order. When the formula contains no carbon or hydrogen atoms, then all the elements are sorted alphabetically.

You can find more info/where I found the answer here: https://chemistry.stackexchange.com/questions/1239/order-of-elements-in-a-formula

[kpang_4H]

I noticed that in the practice problems, you can just write the elements in the same order the mass percentage compositions or mass of the elements are shown.

[Ruth Glauber 1C]

I believe you tend to put Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen first, and go off of the others in alphabetical order?

[Rodrigo2J]

I actually asked the TA this question and he said that the order of the elements doesn't necessarily matter as long as you have the correct subscripts and ratios for each atom. But just for a reference, if it is an ionic substance start with the metal and then the nonmetal(s), if it is an organic compound usually start with carbon then hydrogen, oxygen, and so on.

[405398682]

The order of the elements is not that important in this kind of question. As long as you get the ratio of the mass of every element correct, I think you will be fine.

[AveryAgosto]

I think for the material we are learning in 14A, the order is not important. I think the ratio's are the important part.

[Grecia Velasco 1G]

Write the elements in the same order that the mass % composition is in. For example: H 25%, O 25%, C 25%, Fe 25% = HOCFe when solving for empirical formula.

[EvanWang]

Generally, the order the elements are given in the problem will be the same order you can write them in your answer. In organic molecules, that normally means C, H, then everything else.