Question

percent composition and molecular formula
quiz complete
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which statement best relates an empirical formula with a molecular formula?
they are always different for the same compound.
subscripts of empirical formulas can be reduced.
molecular formulas can be determined from empirical formulas.
they both show the actual ratio of elements for a compound.

Explanation:

: Only molecular formulas show the actual number (ratio) of atoms; empirical formulas show the simplest whole-number ratio.

• Option C is correct: Using the empirical formula and the compound's molar mass, the molecular formula (which is a whole-number multiple of the empirical formula) can be calculated.

Answer:

: Only molecular formulas show the actual number (ratio) of atoms; empirical formulas show the simplest whole-number ratio.

• Option C is correct: Using the empirical formula and the compound's molar mass, the molecular formula (which is a whole-number multiple of the empirical formula) can be calculated.