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A molecule of glucose has the molecular formula C₆H₁₂O₆ - OCR Gateway - GCSE Chemistry: Combined Science - Question 9 - 2022 - Paper 1
Question 9
A molecule of glucose has the molecular formula C₆H₁₂O₆. What is the empirical formula of glucose? A. CHO B. CH₂O C. C₆H₁₂O₆ D. (C₀₈)H₁₂ Your answer
Worked Solution & Example Answer:A molecule of glucose has the molecular formula C₆H₁₂O₆ - OCR Gateway - GCSE Chemistry: Combined Science - Question 9 - 2022 - Paper 1
Step 1
What is the empirical formula of glucose?
Answer
To determine the empirical formula from the molecular formula C₆H₁₂O₆, we first identify the ratio of each element in the formula. The subscripts in the molecular formula indicate that there are 6 carbon (C) atoms, 12 hydrogen (H) atoms, and 6 oxygen (O) atoms.
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Calculate the ratio: The greatest common divisor of 6, 12, and 6 is 6. Dividing each subscript by 6 gives:
- Carbon: 6/6 = 1
- Hydrogen: 12/6 = 2
- Oxygen: 6/6 = 1
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Write the empirical formula: The empirical formula is the simplest whole-number ratio of the elements, which is C₁H₂O₁. This can be simplified to CH₂O.
Thus, the correct answer is B. CH₂O.