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  • Empirical Formulas: Calculating Simple Ratios for Molecular Compounds
    Here's how to find the empirical formulas for each molecular formula:

    a) Sodium Peroxide (Na₂O₂)

    * Empirical Formula: NaO

    * The molecular formula already shows the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms.

    b) Terephthalic Acid (C₈H₆O₄)

    * Empirical Formula: C₄H₃O₂

    * Divide all subscripts by the greatest common factor (2).

    c) Phenobarbital (C₁₂H₁₂N₂O₃)

    * Empirical Formula: C₆H₆N₂O₃

    * Divide all subscripts by the greatest common factor (2).

    d) 1?

    * You did not provide a molecular formula for (d). Please provide the molecular formula so I can determine the empirical formula.

    Remember:

    * Empirical formulas represent the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms in a compound.

    * Molecular formulas show the actual number of atoms of each element in a molecule.

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