Concept:An empirical formula is derived by dividing all the subscripts in a molecular formula by their Greatest Common Divisor (GCD), yielding the simplest whole-number ratio.
Formula:$$ \text{Ratio} = \text{C}_x\text{H}_y\text{O}_z \div \text{GCD}(x,y,z) $$
Solution:- The molecular formula is \( \text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6 \).
- The subscripts are Carbon = 6, Hydrogen = 12, Oxygen = 6.
- The greatest common divisor among 6, 12, and 6 is exactly 6.
- Divide each subscript by 6:
- C = \( 6 / 6 = 1 \)
- H = \( 12 / 6 = 2 \)
- O = \( 6 / 6 = 1 \)
- The resulting simplest ratio is \( \text{CH}_2\text{O} \).
Why other options are incorrect:- \( \text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6 \): This is the molecular formula, which shows the actual count, not the simplest ratio.
- CHO & \( \text{CH}_2\text{O}_2 \): These do not accurately reflect the mathematically simplified 1:2:1 ratio.
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