why is NH4NO3 not an empirical formula? (1 Viewer)

[sciencenerd]

Doesn't it fit the definition despite being made of polyatomic ions........

 

[strawberrye]

Where did you read about this compound not being an empirical formula?

 

[someth1ng]

Where did you read about this compound not being an empirical formula?

It isn't an empirical formula. In chemistry, the empirical formula of a chemical compound is the simplest positive integer ratio of atoms present in a compound - each element only appears once for the empirical formula.

The empirical formula for ammonium nitrate is N2H4O3.

The empirical formula of N2O4 would be NO2.

 

[strawberrye]

It isn't an empirical formula. In chemistry, the empirical formula of a chemical compound is the simplest positive integer ratio of atoms present in a compound - each element only appears once for the empirical formula.

The empirical formula for ammonium nitrate is N2H4O3.

The empirical formula of N2O4 would be NO2.

Thank you for your explanation