Concept explainers
To complete: From the following options, an empirical formula does not:
identify elements in a compound.
identify actual numbers of atoms in a molecule.
provide the simplest whole number ratio of atoms ofelements with subscripts.
provide the formula for an ionic compound.
Answer to Problem 1AC
Solution:
Option (b) is correct.
Explanation of Solution
Introduction:
There are a number of compounds in this world. In order to simplify the name of each compound a short term formula is given to each element or ion. It is of three types: Structural formula, empirical formula and molecular formula.
Explanation:
Reason for the correct option:
A formula which contains the elements in the simplest ratio is called an empirical formula. It identifies the elements in a compound. It represents the simplest whole number ratio of atoms of elements with subscripts. It also provides the formula of an ionic compound. The actual number of atoms present in a compound is given by molecular formula not empirical formula.
Hence, option (b) is correct.
Reason for the incorrect options:
Option (a) is incorrect becauseempirical formula identifies the elements present in a compound. For example: The empirical formula of ethanol is
Option (c) is incorrect because it gives the simplest whole number of atoms of a compound. The empirical formula of ethanol is
Option (d) is incorrect because it provides the formula of ionic compound. So it is a wrong answer.
Hence, options (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect.
Conclusion:
The empirical formula does not identify the actual numbers of atoms in a molecule.
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