Practice question · True or false
The empirical formula of a compound always matches its molecular formula.
Hints
- Compare glucose with formaldehyde.
- Both are CH₂O in simplest ratio.
Show the answer
False
Why
False. The empirical formula gives the simplest whole-number ratio; the molecular formula gives the actual count. Glucose and formaldehyde share the empirical formula and are entirely different substances, which is why combustion analysis alone cannot identify a compound.
Practise Representations from particles to formulas
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