Empirical Formula

An empirical formula shows the most basic form of a compound. Empirical formulas show the number of atoms of each element in a compound in the most simplified state using whole numbers. Empirical formulas tend to tell us very little about a compound because one cannot determine the structure, shape, or properties of the compound without knowing the molecular formula. Usefulness of the empirical formula is decreased because many chemical compounds can have the same empirical formula.

Ex. Find the empirical formula for C₈H₁₆O_2.

Answer: C₄H₈O (divide all subscripts by 2 to get the smallest, whole number ratio).