Finding Chemical Formulas

 The percent composition of a compound

can be used to find the simplest chemical
formula of the compound. This simplest
formula is called the empirical formula.
 Empirical Formula – the lowest whole
number ratio of elements in a compound.
The empirical formula may be the same
as the molecular formula or the molecular
formula may be a multiple of the empirical.
 Ex1 CO2 empirical and molecular formula the
same
 Ex2 N2H4 has empirical formula NH2
Steps For Determining
Empirical Formula
1.) Start with the # of grams of each
element, given in the problem.
If percentages are given, assume the total
mass is 100 grams so that the mass of
each element = the percent given.
2.) Convert the mass of each element to
moles using the molar mass from the
periodic table.
Steps For Determining
Empirical Formula
3.) Divide each mole by the smallest number
of moles calculated.
4.) Round to the nearest whole number.
This is the mole ratio of the elements and
is represented by subscripts in the
empirical formula.
Example Problem #1
A compound was analyzed and found to contain
13.5 g Ca, 10.8 g O, and 0.675 g H. What is the
empirical formula of the compound?

13.5 g Ca 1 mole = 0.337 mol Ca

1 40.08 g Ca

10.8 g O 1 mole = 0.675 mol O

1 16.00 g O

0.675 g H 1 mole = 0.668 mol H

1 1.01 g H
Example Problem #1
Divide each mole value by the smallest number
of moles calculated. Round to the nearest whole
number.

0.337 mol Ca = 1 Ca
0.337 mol
0.675 mol O = 2.00 = 2 O
0.337 mol

0.668 mol H = 1.98 = 2 H

0.337 mol
Example Problem #1
This is the mole ratio of elements and is
represented by subscripts in the empirical
formula.
1 – Ca
2–O
2–H
CaO2H2 = Ca(OH)2
 Example Problem #2
NutraSweet is 57.14% C, 6.16% H, 9.52% N, and
27.18% O. Calculate the empirical formula of
NutraSweet.

57.14 g C 1 mole = 4.76 mol C

1 12.01 g C
6.16 g H 1 mole = 6.09 mol H
1 1.01 g H
9.52 g N 1 mole = 0.680 mol N
1 14.01 g N
27.18 g O 1 mole = 1.70 mol O
1 16.00 g O
 Example Problem #2
Divide each mole value by the smallest number
of moles calculated. Round to the nearest whole
number.
0.680 mol N = 1N
0.680 mol
6.09 mol H = 8.95 = 9 H
0.680 mol
1.70 mol O = 2.5 O
0.680 mol
4.76 mol C = 7C
0.680 mol
Example Problem #2
If the number is too far to round, then multiply
each solution by the same factor to get the
lowest whole number multiple.
This is the mole ratio of elements and is
represented by subscripts in the empirical
formula.
2.5 x 2 = 5 – O
7 x 2 = 14 – C
9 x 2 = 18 – H
1x2=2–N
C14H18N2O5
Now, we can find the molecular formula by
finding the mass of the empirical formula
and setting up a ratio:
C14H18N2O5 =
(14 x 12.01) + (18 x 1.01) + (2 x 14.01) + (5 x 16.00) = 294.00 g/mol

Molecular Formula = molar mass = 294.30 = 1

empirical formula mass 294.00

So the empirical formula is the molecular formula

How heavy was the largest recorded
Thanksgiving turkey?

86 pounds! The size of a large dog!!