Question

Acetylene $\left(HC\equiv CH\right)$ is the first member of a family of hydrocarbons called alkynes.
What is its empirical formula?

[1 mark]

• A. CH
• B. $C_2{H}_2$
• C. ${\left(CH\right)}_2$
• D. ${\left(CH\right)}_3$

Answer 1

The correct option is A CH

Empirical formula is made up of the simplest whole number ratio of all the elements in a molecule.

The molecular formula of the given compound is$C_2{H}_2$. This can be represented as ${\left(CH\right)}_2$ and the empirical formula of $C_2{H}_2$ can be represented as CH.

∴ The empirical formula of the compound is CH.