Empirical Formula for Magnesium Oxide

[Atropine]

I'm currently trying to understand the concept that my chemistry teacher wants me to figure out. We are not doing stoichiometry. We haven't even gotten the definition for it. Now I need to find the empirical formula for magnesium Oxide.

My friends kept telling me (MgO) Which I didnt fully understand but I wanted to know if anyone would be able to help me because I'm really in a pickle right now.

I can give you more information if you would be so kind to contact me ASAP.

*Amanda

[dmoravec]

Emprical formula - http://www.towson.edu/~ladon/empiric.html

Magnesium Oxide - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnesium_oxide

Now why is the formula MgO? Magnesium exists in an oxidation state of +2 and oxygen -2. To make a neutral molecule one magnesium must combine with one oxygen. It talkes about empirical formulas since magnesium oxide can exist as a crystal and could have formulas such as Mg2O2, Mg3O3, etc

[Atropine]

I've seen those sites but thank you for responding. Its rather fuzzy of an idea. And I'm still moderatly confused.