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Kelly09
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Vitamin B5 is called niacin or nicotinic acid. Its percentage composition by mass is (58.4% Carbon) (4.09% Hydrogen) (25.99% Oxygen) and (11.38% Nitrogen). What is the empirical formula of vitamin B5?
An empirical formula is a representation of the relative number of each type of atom in a molecule. It shows the simplest whole-number ratio of the elements present in a compound.
The empirical formula can be calculated by dividing the molar mass of each element in a compound by its molar mass and then simplifying the resulting ratios to the smallest whole numbers.
An empirical formula shows the simplest whole-number ratio of elements in a compound, while the molecular formula shows the exact number of each type of atom in a molecule.
Yes, if the compound is already in its simplest form, the empirical formula will be the same as the molecular formula.
The empirical formula is important because it helps in identifying and characterizing compounds, determining their molecular formula, and predicting their properties and behaviors.