Empirical Formula Calculator

What is an Empirical Formula?

Discover what an empirical formula is! It shows the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms in a chemical compound. Think of it as the most basic building block of a molecule, representing the relative number of each type of atom. This is a fundamental concept in chemistry calculations.

How to Calculate Empirical Formula

To find the empirical formula of a compound, follow these simple steps:

• Convert masses to moles: Use the atomic mass of each element.
• Find the simplest ratio: Divide all mole values by the smallest mole value.
• Convert to whole numbers: If ratios aren't whole numbers, multiply all by the smallest integer to get whole numbers.
• Write the formula: Use these whole numbers as subscripts for each element.

Empirical vs. Molecular Formula

Understand the link between empirical and molecular formulas. The molecular formula is always a whole-number multiple of the empirical formula. It shows the actual number of atoms in a molecule. For example:

• Glucose: C6H12O6 (molecular) = (CH2O)6 (empirical)
• Hydrogen peroxide: H2O2 (molecular) = HO (empirical)

Our empirical formula calculator helps you find this fundamental ratio.

Common Empirical Formula Examples

See common examples of empirical formulas in action:

• CH2O for sugars (like glucose)
• CH for many hydrocarbons (e.g., benzene C6H6)
• NH2 for amines (e.g., hydrazine N2H4)
• SO4 for sulfates (e.g., sulfuric acid H2SO4)

These examples illustrate how empirical formulas simplify complex compounds.