Which of the following is a molecular formula?

• A. NaCl
• B. CH2O
• C. H2O2 (empirical: HO)
• D. C6H12O6

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the difference between empirical and molecular formulas: An empirical formula shows the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms in a compound, while a molecular formula shows the actual number of atoms of each element in a molecule.
2. Look at each given formula and determine if it represents the simplest ratio or the actual number of atoms. For example, NaCl shows a 1:1 ratio of sodium to chlorine, which is both empirical and molecular for that compound.
3. Examine CH2O: This formula shows the simplest ratio of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms (1:2:1). It is the empirical formula for many carbohydrates but may not be the molecular formula if the actual molecule contains multiples of these atoms.
4. Consider H2O2 with empirical formula HO: H2O2 shows the actual number of atoms in a hydrogen peroxide molecule, while HO is the simplest ratio. Therefore, H2O2 is a molecular formula.
5. Analyze C6H12O6: This formula shows the actual number of atoms in a glucose molecule and is not reducible to a simpler ratio, so it is a molecular formula.