What is the empirical formula for a compound whose molecular formula is P4O10

a. POb. P2O5c. P4O10d. P8O20e. PO2

The empirical formula is P2O5 (option B)

Explanation:

An empirical formula does not necessarily represent the actual numbers of atoms present in a molecule of a compound; it represents only the ratio between those numbers.

The actual numbers of atoms of each element that occur in the smallest freely existing unit or molecule of the compound is expressed by the molecular formula of the compound.

The molecular formula of a compound may be the empirical formula, or it may be a multiple of the empirical formula.

If the molecular formula is P4O10, this means for each for P-atoms we have 10-O atoms this is a ratio 4:10 or 1: 2.5

To find the empirical formula we divide the molecular formula by 2 what will give us P2O5

For each 2 P atoms we have 5 O-atoms. This is a ratio 1: 2.5

This is the simpliest form for the compound P4O10.

The empirical formula is P2O5 (option B)