Final answer:
The empirical formula of C6H12O6 is CH2O, and the empirical formula mass is 30 amu, calculated by summing the atomic masses of C (12 amu), H2 (2 amu), and O (16 amu).
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks for the empirical formula mass of the compound with the molecular formula C6H12O6. To find the empirical formula, we first determine the simplest whole-number ratio of the atoms in the compound. For glucose, which is C6H12O6, the ratio of C:H:O is 6:12:6, which simplifies to 1:2:1. So, the empirical formula is CH2O.
To calculate the empirical formula mass, we multiply the number of each type of atom by its given atomic mass and sum the total:
- C: (1 atom)(12 amu/atom) = 12 amu
- H: (2 atoms)(1 amu/atom) = 2 amu
- O: (1 atom)(16 amu/atom) = 16 amu
Empirical formula mass = C (12 amu) + H2 (2 amu) + O (16 amu) = 30 amu.