Empirical formula
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Empirical formula
can empirical formulas have decimal points or is it best to multiply until all of the elements have whole numbers?
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Re: Empirical formula
No, you can't have decimal points in an empirical formula because it doesn't make sense to have a fraction of an atom/element. When you have decimals, make sure you multiply to the lowest whole number!
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Re: Empirical formula
Empirical formulas cannot have decimals since you cannot have ‘0.5’ of an atom, or 1/3; they must be whole numbers!
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Re: Empirical formula
No, empirical formulas cannot have decimal points. The reason behind this is empirical formulas are the simplest whole number ratio in regards to atoms that are in a compound.
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Re: Empirical formula
Always got to have whole numbers in your formulas due to the same reason as with everyone that there can not be a fraction of an atom. And plus, it looks nicer.
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Re: Empirical formula
Empirical formals have to consist of all whole numbers. They are the most simplified, whole version of the molecular formula.
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Re: Empirical formula
No they cannot! The TA review sessions made sure to emphasize in the beginning that there must be a whole number in these formulas. Hence why we will multiple by two or some other number in order to reach a whole number
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Re: Empirical formula
They have to be whole numbers! Same goes for molecular formula, which is basically a multiple of the empirical formula
Re: Empirical formula
Has to be a whole number hence why some compounds have the same molecular and empirical formula.
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