Question

$C_{40}{H}_{56}$ is the empirical formula of

• A. Chlorophyll b
• B. Carotene
• C. Xanthophyll
• D. Anthocyanin

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Carotene

Carotene is a photosynthetic pigment that has an ability to absorb light, at specific wavelengths. It does not have oxygen atoms. Carotene absorbs ultraviolet, violet, and blue light and scatters orange or red light and yellow light. It protects plants from excessive heat and prevents photo-oxidation (oxidative destruction by light) of chlorophyll pigments. A chemical formula which shows the simplest ratio of elements in a compound rather than the total number of atoms in the molecule is known as empirical formula. The empirical formula of carotene is C${}_{40}{H}_{56}$.