Final answer:
The chemical formula for a carbohydrate is based on the stoichiometric formula (CH₂O)n. For glucose, which is a simple carbohydrate, this formula is C₆H₁₂O₆. Carbohydrates are classified into monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides.
Step-by-step explanation:
The chemical formula for a carbohydrate molecule can be represented by (CH₂O)n, where 'n' denotes the number of carbon atoms within the molecule. Carbohydrates follow the ratio of 1:2:1 for carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, respectively. To determine the formula of the first carbohydrate molecule shown, we need to know the value of 'n' in this instance.
Typically, for common simple carbohydrates like glucose, 'n' is equal to 6. Therefore, the chemical formula for glucose is C₆H₁₂O₆. Similarly, fructose, which is an isomer of glucose, possesses the same chemical formula.
Carbohydrates are broadly categorized into monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides. Monosaccharides are the most basic form of carbohydrates, such as glucose and fructose. Disaccharides, like sucrose, are made up of two monosaccharide units, while polysaccharides are complex chains of monosaccharide units.
Not all compounds that conform to the general formula Cₙ(H₂O)ₙ are carbohydrates; for instance, acetic acid follows this formula but is not a carbohydrate.