Final answer:
The empirical formula of the compound C₁₂H₈ is C₃H₂.
Step-by-step explanation:
The empirical formula of a compound is the simplest, whole-number ratio of atoms present in a molecule. To determine the empirical formula of a compound with the molecular formula C₁₂H₈, we need to find the ratio of carbon to hydrogen atoms. In this case, the ratio is 12:8, which can be simplified to 3:2. Therefore, the empirical formula of the compound is C₃H₂.