Based on the ratio of carbon to nitrogen in this example, what would the empirical formula be for \( \mathrm{C}_{3} \mathrm{~N}_{12} \) ? CN \( \mathrm{CN}_{3} \mathrm{~N}_{12} \)
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To find the empirical formula, we first need to simplify the ratio of carbon to nitrogen in \( \mathrm{C}_{3} \mathrm{~N}_{12} \). The ratio of carbon (C) to nitrogen (N) is 3:12, which can be simplified by dividing both numbers by their greatest common factor, which is 3. This gives us a ratio of 1:4. Therefore, the empirical formula is \( \mathrm{CN}_{4} \). Now that we have the empirical formula, let's look at its significance! Understanding empirical formulas is like having the secret recipe for a delicious dish! They showcase the simplest whole-number ratio of elements in a compound, which is crucial for chemists when determining how substances interact or what reactions might occur. It’s like finding the essential ingredients for a flavorful meal!