"empirical" formula

[August]

Why is empirical formula called 'empirical'? I don't get how it is 'empirical'.

 

This is what my dictionary gives me:

 

1.: originating in or based on observation or experience *empirical data*

2 : relying on experience or observation alone often without due regard for system and theory *an empirical basis for the theory*

3 : capable of being verified or disproved by observation or experiment *empirical laws*

4 : of or relating to empiricism

 

Thankyou

[YT2095]

it doesn`t seem to have the chem related definition, that`s all

 

it`s Loosely correct, in that HO is indeed hydrogen peroxide (if the Molar mass is 34), so we can say the Empirical formula is HO rather than H2O2, applying definition #2 of your list.

 

by Observation (and not convention) H2O2 is indeed 1:1 ratio and may be written HO Empirically.

[insane_alien]

i comes from definitions one and two there.

 

empirical formulae were first derived by decomposing the molecules and getting the ratios of the elements present in the compound. it gives no hint of structure or reaction chemistry.