Determine the empirical formula for the compound with the molecular formula B2Cl4.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
To determine the empirical formula of a compound, we need to simplify its molecular formula to the smallest whole number ratio of atoms. The molecular formula given is B2Cl4.
Step 1: Write down the molecular formula
The molecular formula is B2Cl4, indicating the compound contains:
- 2 boron (B) atoms
- 4 chlorine (Cl) atoms
Step 2: Simplify the ratio of atoms
To find the empirical formula, we need to simplify the ratio of boron to chlorine atoms by dividing both numbers by their greatest common divisor (GCD).
The GCD of 2 and 4 is 2.
- Dividing 2 (B) by 2 gives 1.
- Dividing 4 (Cl) by 2 gives 2.
Step 3: Write the empirical formula
After simplifying the ratio, the empirical formula becomes BCl2. This means that for every boron atom, there are 2 chlorine atoms.
Explanation:
The empirical formula represents the simplest whole number ratio of atoms in a compound. In the case of B2Cl4, we divided both the number of boron and chlorine atoms by their GCD, which is 2, to arrive at BCl2. The molecular formula B2Cl4 suggests that the compound contains twice as many chlorine atoms as boron atoms. After simplification, the empirical formula provides the smallest ratio, which in this case is BCl2.
In summary:
- Molecular formula: B2Cl4
- Empirical formula: BCl2
