If I have a molecular formula of C20H14O4, apparently I'll have an empirical formula of C10H7O2, but I have no idea how you figure that out. I need to understand how you can convert the molecular formula to a empirical one. Does anyone know how?
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Find the common denominator...in this case 2
you have C = 20 / 2 = 10 (empirical), H = 14 / 2 = 7 (empirical), and O = 4 / 2 = 2
you have C = 20 / 2 = 10 (empirical), H = 14 / 2 = 7 (empirical), and O = 4 / 2 = 2