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Is the empirical formula for a compound ever the same as its molecular formula? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Yes, if the molecular formula cannot be simplified.

Take the molecular formula of methane for example, #CH_4#. It can't be simplified any further (unless you use fractions in the subscripts), and thus its empirical formula is also #CH_4#. Another example would be carbon dioxide, #CO_2#.

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Answer 2

Cooper Anderson

No, the empirical formula for a compound may not always be the same as its molecular formula. The empirical formula represents the simplest whole number ratio of atoms in a compound, while the molecular formula represents the actual number of each type of atom in a molecule. Therefore, if the molecular formula includes multiples of the empirical formula, they will not be the same.

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Answer 3

Jose Ayala

Yes, the empirical formula for a compound can be the same as its molecular formula. This occurs when the compound's molecular formula is already in its simplest whole-number ratio of atoms. In such cases, the empirical formula and the molecular formula are identical. However, it's important to note that this is not always the case.

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Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.