What is an example of a molecular formula to the empirical formula?

An example of converting a molecular formula to an empirical formula is the conversion of butane's molecular formula, C₄H₁₀, to its empirical formula, C₂H₅.

Understanding Molecular and Empirical Formulas

• Molecular Formula: Represents the actual number of atoms of each element in a molecule.
• Empirical Formula: Represents the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms of each element in a compound.

Conversion Process: Butane (C₄H₁₀)

1. Identify the greatest common factor (GCF) of the subscripts in the molecular formula. In the case of C₄H₁₀, the subscripts are 4 and 10. The greatest common factor is 2.

2. Divide each subscript in the molecular formula by the GCF.

   • Carbon: 4 / 2 = 2
   • Hydrogen: 10 / 2 = 5

3. Write the empirical formula using the new subscripts. Therefore, the empirical formula of butane is C₂H₅.

In essence, you simplify the molecular formula by dividing the subscripts by their greatest common factor to obtain the empirical formula, which represents the simplest ratio of elements within the compound.