To classify the formulas as empirical, molecular, or both, we need to understand the differences between empirical and molecular formulas:
- An empirical formula represents the simplest whole-number ratio of the elements in a compound.
- A molecular formula represents the actual number of atoms of each element in a molecule of the compound.
Let's look at each formula individually.
1. NaHCO₃ (Sodium Bicarbonate)
- NaHCO₃ is the formula for sodium bicarbonate, also known as baking soda.
- In sodium bicarbonate, the ratio of the elements cannot be simplified further while still containing all original elements. Therefore, NaHCO₃ represents both the simplest ratio and the actual number of atoms present in the smallest unit of the compound.
- Hence, NaHCO₃ is both the empirical formula and the molecular formula.
Classification:
[tex]$ \text{both empirical and molecular} $[/tex]
2. C₂H₆ (Ethane)
- C₂H₆ is the formula for ethane.
- The molecular formula C₂H₆ shows that each molecule of ethane contains 2 carbon atoms and 6 hydrogen atoms.
- The empirical formula is the simplest whole-number ratio of the elements. The ratio of carbon to hydrogen atoms in ethane is 2:6, which can be simplified to 1:3. Therefore, the empirical formula for ethane is CH₃.
- C₂H₆ (the molecular formula) is not the simplest ratio, hence it is not the empirical formula.
Classification:
[tex]$ \text{molecular} $[/tex]
Therefore, the classifications are:
NaHCO₃
- Classification: both empirical and molecular
C₂H₆
- Classification: molecular
