Question

The empirical formula of the compound is \[\mathrm{CH_2O}\], the possible molecular formula can be ______.

Options

• \[\mathrm{C_3H_6O_3}\]

• \[\mathrm{C_2H_4O}\]

• \[\mathrm{C_4H_3O_2}\]

• \[\mathrm{C_4H_6O_2}\]

Answer 1

The empirical formula of the compound is \[\mathrm{CH_2O}\], the possible molecular formula can be ______.

Explanation:

A molecular formula must be a whole-number multiple of the empirical formula. Here, \[\mathrm{C_3H_6O_3}=3(\mathrm{CH_2O})\], while the other options do not have the required [1 : 2 : 1] atom ratio.