Science, Tech, Math › Science Empirical Formula Practice Test Questions Print Maxiphoto / Getty Images Science Chemistry Basics Chemical Laws Molecules Periodic Table Projects & Experiments Scientific Method Biochemistry Physical Chemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Chemistry Expert Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on July 03, 2019 The empirical formula of a compound represents the simplest whole-number ratio between the elements that make up the compound. This 10-question practice test deals with finding empirical formulas of chemical compounds.A periodic table will be required to complete this practice test. Answers for the test appear after the final question: Question 1 What is the empirical formula of a compound containing 40.0% sulfur and 60.0% oxygen by mass? Question 2 A compound is found to contain 23.3% magnesium, 30.7% sulfur, and 46.0% oxygen. What is the empirical formula of this compound? Question 3 What is the empirical formula for a compound containing 38.8% carbon, 16.2% hydrogen, and 45.1% nitrogen? Question 4 A sample of an oxide of nitrogen is found to contain 30.4% nitrogen. What is its empirical formula? Read More Chemical Formulas Practice Test Questions By Todd Helmenstine Question 5 A sample of an oxide of arsenic is found to contain 75.74% arsenic. What is its empirical formula? Question 6 What is the empirical formula for a compound containing 26.57% potassium, 35.36% chromium, and 38.07% oxygen? Question 7 What is the empirical formula of a compound comprising 1.8% hydrogen, 56.1% sulfur, and 42.1% oxygen? Question 8 A borane is a compound containing only boron and hydrogen. If a borane is found to contain 88.45% boron, what is its empirical formula? Question 9 Find the empirical formula for a compound containing 40.6% carbon, 5.1% hydrogen, and 54.2% oxygen. Question 10 What is the empirical formula of a compound containing 47.37% carbon, 10.59% hydrogen, and 42.04% oxygen? Answers 1. SO32. MgSO33. CH5N4. NO25. As2O36. K2Cr2O77. H2S2O38. B5H79. C2H3O210. C3H8O2More Chemistry Test Questions Empirical Formula Tips Remember, the empirical formula is the smallest whole number ratio. For this reason, it's also called the simplest ratio. When you get a formula, check your answer to make sure the subscripts can't all be divided by any number (usually it's 2 or 3, if this applies). If you're finding a formula from experimental data, you probably won't get perfect whole-number ratios. This is fine. However, it means you need to be careful when you're rounding numbers to make sure you get the correct answer. Real world chemistry is even trickier because atoms sometimes participate in unusual bonds, so empirical formulas aren't necessarily accurate. Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Empirical Formula Practice Test Questions." ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/empirical-formula-practice-test-questions-604118. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2023, April 5). Empirical Formula Practice Test Questions. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/empirical-formula-practice-test-questions-604118 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Empirical Formula Practice Test Questions." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/empirical-formula-practice-test-questions-604118 (accessed May 3, 2024). copy citation