Final answer:
The empirical formulas for C2N2, C6H6, C9H20, P4O10, and B2H6 are CN, CH, C9H20, P2O5, and BH3, respectively, representing the simplest whole-number ratios of the atoms in each compound.
Step-by-step explanation:
The empirical formula of a compound represents the simplest whole-number ratio of the elements within that compound. Determining empirical formulas is a foundational concept in chemistry, usually taught in high school level.
For the compounds provided:
- C2N2: The empirical formula is CN.
- C6H6: The empirical formula is CH because the ratio of carbon to hydrogen atoms is 1:1.
- C9H20: The empirical formula is C9H20, as the formula already represents the simplest whole-number ratio.
- P4O10: The empirical formula is P2O5, which reduces the molecular formula to the simplest ratio.
- B2H6: The empirical formula is BH3, which simplifies the given molecular formula by dividing by two.