EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Whereas CH2O is the empirical formula for glucose, C6H12O6 is the molecular formula. An actual molecule of glucose contains six carbon atoms, twelve hydrogen atoms, and six oxygen atoms. (Or six moles of carbon atoms, 12 moles of hydrogen atoms, and six moles of oxygen atoms).

Detailed explanation-2: -As you know, the empirical formula of a compound is the simplest formula that preserves the ratio of the component elements to each other. Thus, for example, formaldehyde (CH2O) and glucose (C6H12O6) both have the same empirical formula: CH2O.

Detailed explanation-3: -However, there will always be twice as many hydrogen atoms as oxygen. If you look at the formula for glucose, it is C6H12O6. The least common denominator is 6. If you divide the 12 Hydrogen atoms in the equation by 6, the result is 2.

Detailed explanation-4: -The empirical formula for C6 H12 O6 is CH2 O. To find the empirical number for this molecule, a typical glucose molecule, we need to find the greatest common denominator for all the numbers in the molecular formula. In this case, the numbers are 6, 12, and 6.

Detailed explanation-5: -Glucose, C6H12O6, contains carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. The ratio of carbon to hydrogen to oxygen is 1:2:1. CH2O is the empirical formula for glucose.