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Empirical Formula
The empirical formula of a substance represents the smallest whole number ratio of the elements in that substance
- ionic compounds-only have an empirical formula
- molecular compounds-have both an empirical and a molecular formula
Steps to finding the empirical formula of a substance:
- Find the mass percent of a certain element in the original compound.
- Assume 100g of the compound and find the number of moles present of each element using their atomic masses.