What is the empirical formula for a compound with the molecular formula C6H6O2?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for the empirical formula of a compound given its molecular formula. To find the empirical formula, we need to simplify the molecular formula by finding the greatest common divisor of the subscripts in the formula.
Answer
C3H3O
The final answer is C3H3O
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is C3H3O
More Information
An empirical formula represents the simplest whole number ratio of the atoms in a compound. For C6H6O2, dividing the number of atoms of each element by their greatest common divisor 2, yields the empirical formula C3H3O.
Tips
A common mistake is not simplifying the molecular formula to its smallest whole number ratio or incorrectly identifying the greatest common divisor.
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