Final answer:
The empirical formula of a compound is the best description of how a compound naturally occurs. It represents the simplest, most reduced ratio of elements in the compound.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best answer to the question "Which of the following best describes how a compound naturally occurs?" is The empirical formula. The empirical formula of a compound is an expression of the relative number of each type of atom in the compound. It represents the simplest, most reduced ratio of elements in the compound. The empirical formula provides important information about the composition and structure of a compound.