Question

What is the empirical formula for the molecular formula given? molecular formula: p4o10 po

Answer 1

The empirical formula for the molecular formula P4O10 is PO2.

Step-by-step explanation:

The empirical formula of a compound indicates the simplest ratio of atoms in the compound. To determine the empirical formula from a given molecular formula, we need to find the simplest whole number ratio of the atoms present in the compound. In the case of the molecular formula P4O10, we can simplify it to the empirical formula PO2.

Answer 2

The empirical formula for the given molecular formula
`P_4O_1_0`PO is
`P_2O_5.`

The empirical formula of a chemical compound is the simplest whole number ratio of atoms present in a compound.

We start by dividing the subscripts of each element by the greatest common factor (GCF).: The GCF for phosphorus (P) is 2 and for oxygen (O) is 1.

Divide the subscripts of phosphorus by 2: P4 / 2 = P2

Divide the subscripts of oxygen by 1: O10 / 1 = O10 (already at its simplest form)

Combine the simplified subscripts:
`P_2O_1_0 = P_2O_5`