Final answer:
The molecular formula of caffeic acid is C9H8O4, consisting of nine carbon atoms, eight hydrogen atoms, and four oxygen atoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The molecular formula of caffeic acid is C9H8O4. This indicates that a molecule of caffeic acid contains nine carbon atoms, eight hydrogen atoms, and four oxygen atoms. Understanding molecular formulas helps in identifying the composition of a compound and determining its empirical formula. The molecular formula can be seen as a multiple of its empirical formula, which in this case would be the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms within the compound.