Question

If a molecular formula is C8H12O2 , what is the empirical

formula?
a
C4H30
b C4H60
C С2H3o
C2H30
d C8H1202

Answer 1

C! I hope this helps you :)

Answer 2

The empirical formula, given that the molecular formula is
`C_8H_(12)O_2`, is
`C_4H_6O` (option B)

How to obtain the empirical formula when the molecular formula is given?

From the question above, we obtain the following data:

• Molecular formula of compound =
  `C_8H_(12)O_2`
• Empirical formula of compound =?

From the molecular formula given in the question, we shall determine the common factor among the ratios of the various elements. This is shown below:

• C = 8
• H = 12
• O = 2
• Common factor =?

8 = 2 × 2 × 2

12 = 2 × 2 × 3

2 = 1 × 2

Common factor = 2

Now we shall divide the ratios of the various elements by two in order to obtain the empirical formula. Details below:

C = 8 / 2 = 4

H = 12 / 2 = 6

O = 2/2 = 1

Thus, the empirical formula is
`C_4H_6O`. Thus, the correct answer is option B