which formula is an empirical formula?
b)C3H6
c)CH4
d)C2H6
( the numbers should be smaller )
CH4 as empirical formula is the simplest ratio of all the atoms in a molecule
Answer: The empirical formula is \(CH_{4}\)
Explanation:
Empirical formula is defined as the formula in which atoms in a compound are present in simplest whole number ratios.
For the given options:
Option A: \(C_4H_{10}\)
As, the atoms are not in the smallest whole number ratio, it is not the empirical formula. The empirical formula of this will be \(C_2H_5\)
Option B: \(C_3H_{6}\)
As, the atoms are not in the smallest whole number ratio, it is not the empirical formula. The empirical formula of this will be \(CH_2\)
Option C: \(CH_{4}\)
As, the atoms are in the smallest whole number ratio, it is the empirical formula.
Option D: \(C_2H_{6}\)
As, the atoms are not in the smallest whole number ratio, it is not the empirical formula. The empirical formula of this will be \(CH_3\)
Hence, the empirical formula is \(CH_{4}\)