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Chemistry

The empirical formula of the compound is CH2O, the possible molecular formula can be:

  1. C3H6O3

  2. C2H4O

  3. C4H3O2

  4. C4H6O2

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Answer

C3H6O3

Reason — The empirical formula of a compound is the simplest formula, which gives the simplest ratio in whole numbers of atoms of different elements present in one molecule of the compound.

The given empirical formula is CH2O

The simplest ratio of given compound, is 1:2:1

So, C3H6O3 has simplest ratio in multiples of 3
i.e., 3 x CH2O = C3H6O3

Whereas C2H4O, C4H3O2 and C4H6O2 has simplest ratio 2:4:1, 4:3:2 and 2:3:1 respectively. This cannot be derived from the simplest ratio 1:2:1 by multiplying it with any whole number value of n.

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