Question

which of the following is not an empirical formula?
C3H8O
C2N2H8
Sb2S3
BeCr2O7

Answer 1

The Answer would be C2N2H8 because it could be farther split apart by dividing by 2.

Answer 2

Answer: The compound which is not an empirical formula is $C_2N_2H_8$

Explanation:

Empirical formula is defined as the formula in which atoms in a compound are present in simplest whole number ratios.

For the given options:

Option A: $C_3H_8O$

This compound is made by the combination of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. The mole ratio of the elements are $C:H:O::3:8:1$

Option B: $C_2N_2H_8$

This compound is made by the combination of carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen. The mole ratio of the elements are $C:N:H::2:2:8$

This ratio can be reduced to lowest numbers. The empirical formula of this becomes $C_{2/2}N_{2/2}H_{8/2}=CNH_4$

Option C: $Sb_2S_3$

This compound is made by the combination of tin and sulfur atoms. The mole ratio of the elements are $SB:S::2:3$

Option D: $BeCr_2O_7$

This compound is made by the combination of beryllium, chromium and oxygen. The mole ratio of the elements are $Be:Cr:O::1:2:7$

Hence, the compound which is not an empirical formula is $C_2N_2H_8$