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The molecular formula of hydrogen peroxide is H₂O₂ - OCR Gateway - GCSE Chemistry - Question 13 - 2019 - Paper 1
Question 13
The molecular formula of hydrogen peroxide is H₂O₂. What is the empirical formula of hydrogen peroxide? A H₂O₂ B H₂O C HO D H₂O₄ Your answer
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The molecular formula of hydrogen peroxide is H₂O₂ - OCR Gateway - GCSE Chemistry - Question 13 - 2019 - Paper 1
Step 1
What is the empirical formula of hydrogen peroxide?
Answer
To determine the empirical formula from the molecular formula H₂O₂, we need to find the simplest whole number ratio of the elements present.
- Identify the number of atoms: In H₂O₂, there are 2 hydrogen (H) atoms and 2 oxygen (O) atoms.
- Find the greatest common divisor (GCD) of the number of atoms: The GCD of 2 and 2 is 2.
- Divide by the GCD:
- For hydrogen: rac{2}{2} = 1
- For oxygen: rac{2}{2} = 1
- Write the empirical formula: Combining these, we get HO as the empirical formula.
Thus, the correct answer is C, HO.