Which of the following formulas represents an empirical formula?

• A. C2H4
• B. C4H10
• C. C6H12O6
• D. CH2O

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that an empirical formula represents the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms of each element in a compound.
2. For each given formula, determine the ratio of atoms by dividing the subscripts of each element by their greatest common divisor (GCD).
3. For C2H4, divide both subscripts by 2 to get CH2, which is the empirical formula for this compound.
4. For C4H10, the subscripts 4 and 10 have a GCD of 2, so dividing gives C2H5, which is the empirical formula for this compound.
5. For C6H12O6, the subscripts 6, 12, and 6 have a GCD of 6, so dividing gives CH2O, which is the empirical formula for this compound.