# How would you calculate the empirical formula of acetic acid ($C{{H}_{3}}COOH$)?

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Hint:. Empirical formula gives us the simplest whole ratio of the compound .In order to find out the empirical formula of the acetic acid, first we have to find out the total number of each atoms present in the compound and then, divide all of them with the smallest number of the atom in that very compound to get the simple whole number ratio i.e. the empirical formula. Now you can easily solve the given statement.

- First, we have to calculate the total number of each atom present in the compound. Like in acetic acid , there are two carbon atoms, four hydrogen atoms and two oxygen atoms i.e. the molecular formula of acetic acid can also be written as ${{C}_{2}}{{H}_{4}}{{O}_{2}}$.
So, the whole number ratio in acetic acid is $2 : 4 : 2 = 1 : 2 : 1$ and the empirical formula of acetic acid = $C{{H}_{2}}O$
Hence, the empirical formula of the acetic acid ($C{{H}_{3}}COOH$) = $C{{H}_{2}}O$.