Question

The empirical formula for the compound having the formula H₂C₂O4 is

C₂O₂H₂

COH

COH ₂

CO₂H

C₂H₂​

Answer 1

CO₂H

Step-by-step explanation:

The empirical formula gives the smallest whole number ratio of atoms of each element in a compound.

The ratio of hydrogen, carbon and oxygen in H₂C₂O₄ is:

H : C : O

2 : 2 : 4

They have a common factor of 2, so we can divide the atoms of each element by 2:

H : C : O

1 : 1 : 2

This gives us HCO₂ or CO₂H