Final answer:
The empirical formula for manganese(II) oxide is MnO, representing a 1:1 ratio of manganese ions to oxide ions, where manganese is in the +2 oxidation state.
Step-by-step explanation:
The empirical formula for manganese(II) oxide is MnO. This formula represents the simplest whole number ratio of manganese to oxygen, which is 1:1 in this case. Manganese(II) oxide implies that manganese has a +2 oxidation state, meaning each manganese atom can bond with one oxide (O2-) ion. On the other hand, MnO2 is manganese(IV) oxide, implying a +4 oxidation state for manganese, and Mn2O3 is manganese(III) oxide with a +3 oxidation state. To find the correct empirical formula, we consider the oxidation state of manganese in the compound, which in this case, is +2 for manganese(II) oxide.