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  • Formaldehyde vs. Acetic Acid: Understanding Empirical & Molecular Formulas
    Formaldehyde and acetic acid have the same empirical formula but different molecular formulas and molecular weights.

    Here's a breakdown:

    * Empirical formula: The simplest whole-number ratio of atoms in a compound. Both formaldehyde and acetic acid have the empirical formula CH₂O.

    * Molecular formula: The actual number of atoms of each element in a molecule.

    * Formaldehyde: CH₂O (one carbon, two hydrogen, one oxygen)

    * Acetic acid: C₂H₄O₂ (two carbon, four hydrogen, two oxygen)

    * Molecular weight: The sum of the atomic weights of all atoms in a molecule.

    * Formaldehyde: 30 g/mol

    * Acetic acid: 60 g/mol

    In summary:

    While formaldehyde and acetic acid share the same empirical formula (CH₂O), they differ in their molecular formulas and molecular weights. This difference arises from the different arrangements of atoms within their molecules.

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