You are absolutely correct! Different covalent compounds can indeed have the same empirical formula. This is because empirical formulas represent the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms in a compound.

Here's a breakdown:

* Molecular formula: Shows the actual number of each type of atom in a molecule (e.g., C2H6 for ethane).

* Empirical formula: Shows the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms in a compound (e.g., CH3 for ethane).

Example:

* Ethane (C2H6) and Propane (C3H8) both have the same empirical formula, CH3.

This is because the ratio of carbon to hydrogen atoms is 1:3 in both molecules, even though the actual number of atoms is different.

Key Takeaway: Empirical formulas don't tell us the exact number of atoms in a molecule, only the simplest ratio. This means multiple compounds can share the same empirical formula.