Which pair of compounds has the same empirical formula?

• A. C2H2 and C4H10
• B. C6H12O6 and C2H6O
• C. C2H4 and C3H6
• D. CH4 and C2H2

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that the empirical formula represents the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms of each element in a compound.
2. For each compound, determine the ratio of atoms by dividing the number of atoms of each element by their greatest common divisor (GCD).
3. Calculate the empirical formula for each compound in the pairs given: for example, for C2H2, divide both C and H by 2 to get CH; for C4H10, divide by 2 to get C2H5, and so on.
4. Compare the empirical formulas of the compounds in each pair to see if they match exactly.
5. Identify the pair where both compounds have the same empirical formula, which means their simplest atomic ratios are identical.