What is the empirical formula for C_6H_6?

1 Answer
anor277
Mar 28, 2016

It is simply CH.

Explanation:

The empirical formula is the simplest whole number defining constituent atoms in a species. The molecular formula is A MULTIPLE of the empirical formula.

If we were given a sample of benzene, we could perform combustion analysis and get an empirical formula of CH, after the benzene was combusted and the oxidation products of CO_2 and H_2O were very accurately measured on a gas chromatograph. We would need a molecular mass determination before we could supply the molecular formula.

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