Multiple Choice
Which term best describes a group of atoms joined together in a particular way?
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3. Chemical Reactions
Molecular Formula
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Which of the following is the correct molecular formula for glucose?
A
C12H22O11
B
C2H6O
C
CH2O
D
C6H12O6
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that the molecular formula represents the actual number of atoms of each element in a molecule.
Recognize that glucose is a simple sugar (monosaccharide) commonly known to have the formula C6H12O6.
Compare the given options to the known formula of glucose: C12H22O11 is the formula for sucrose (table sugar), C2H6O is a formula for ethanol or dimethyl ether, and CH2O is the empirical formula for glucose but not the molecular formula.
Recall that the empirical formula shows the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms, while the molecular formula shows the exact number of atoms in a molecule.
Conclude that the correct molecular formula for glucose is C6H12O6 because it matches the exact number of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms in one glucose molecule.
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