The empirical formula of a compound is the simplest whole-number ratio of the atoms present in the compound. To determine the empirical formula of ribose, we need to divide the number of atoms of each element in the compound by their greatest common factor.
The molecular formula for ribose is C5H10O5, so we can find the empirical formula as follows:
The greatest common factor of 5, 10, and 5 is 5.
Dividing the number of carbon atoms (5) by 5 gives 1.
Dividing the number of hydrogen atoms (10) by 5 gives 2.
Dividing the number of oxygen atoms (5) by 5 gives 1.
Therefore, the empirical formula for ribose is CH2O. This means that ribose contains one carbon atom, two hydrogen atoms, and one oxygen atom in its simplest ratio.