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Which of these formulas represents a carbohydrate?

a C₆H₁₂O₂
b C₃H₆O₃
c C₄H₈O₂
d C₆H₆O₂
e More than one of the above
f None of the above

1 Answer

6 votes

Final answer:

The formula C₃H₆O₃ (option b) represents a carbohydrate, adhering to the general stoichiometric formula of carbohydrates which is a 1:2:1 ratio of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms.

Step-by-step explanation:

Which of these formulas represents a carbohydrate? b C₃H₆O₃ is the right answer.

Carbohydrates can often be represented by the formula (CH₂O)n, meaning that for each carbon atom, there are two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom, which is a 1:2:1 ratio. In the case of monosaccharides, the general formula is CnH2nOn, where n is the number of carbon atoms in the molecule.

Therefore, option b C₃H₆O₃ fits this criterion, since it has three carbon atoms, six hydrogen atoms, and three oxygen atoms. This formula corresponds to a simple carbohydrate or monosaccharide. Other formulas listed do not match the typical carbohydrate stoichiometry, where the ratio of hydrogen to oxygen atoms is 2:1.

User Nick Graham
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