Question

Tetrachloroethene, C2C14 is a solvent used in many dry cleaning processes.
Write the empirical formula for tetrachloroethene.

Answer 1

An empirical formula presents the atoms of all the elements with the most simplified whole number ratios. In other words, divide each subscript by their greatest common factor.

The greatest common factor of 2 and 4 is 2.

2/2 = 1

4/2 = 2

So, the empirical formula for tetrachloroethene is CCl₂.