Multiple Choice
Which of the following formulas represents an empirical formula?
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3. Chemical Reactions
Empirical Formula
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What is the empirical formula for valproic acid, which has the molecular formula C8H16O2?
A
C4H8O
B
C2H4O
C
CH2O
D
C8H16O2
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that the empirical formula represents the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms in a compound, while the molecular formula shows the actual number of atoms.
Start with the molecular formula of valproic acid: C8H16O2.
Determine the ratio of each element by dividing the number of atoms of each element by the greatest common divisor of all the subscripts. Here, find the greatest common divisor of 8, 16, and 2.
Divide each subscript in the molecular formula by this greatest common divisor to get the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms.
Write the empirical formula using these simplified subscripts, which represents the simplest ratio of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms in valproic acid.
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