After determining the moles of each element, what should you do next to find the empirical formula?

To find the empirical formula after determining the moles of each element, you should divide each number of moles by the smallest number of moles. This step is crucial because it allows you to simplify the ratios of the moles into the lowest whole numbers. The empirical formula represents the simplest whole-number ratio of the different elements in a compound, and this division gives you the relative ratios needed to express that.

By using the smallest number of moles, you ensure that you are scaling down the amounts proportionately. This process highlights the relationship between the quantities of each element and is essential for accurately determining the empirical formula. Once you have the simplest ratio, you can use these values to write the chemical formula that shows the proportionate relationship of elements within the compound.