Question

The molecular formula and the empirical formula is the same for benzene.

• A. True
• B. False

Answer 1

The correct option is B False

• Molecular formula: Molecular formula of any compound gives us the description about the actual number number atoms of each different element present in a compound. It is the most commonly used formula and is multiple of empirical formula.
• Empirical formula: Empirical formula of the compound represents the simplest or most reduced ratio of different atoms present in a compound. In other words, the simplified formula of any compound is called its empirical formula.
• In general, the relation between molecular formula and empirical formula is given as;

$\mathbf{MOLECULAR}\mathbf{}\mathbf{FORMULA}\mathbf{}\mathbf{=}\mathbf{}\mathbf{n}\mathbf{}\mathbf{\times }\mathbf{}\mathbf{EMPIRICAL}\mathbf{}\mathbf{FORMULA}$

where ‘n’ is a whole number

For example; The empirical formula of acetylene $\mathbf{CH}$ is while as its molecular formula is ${\mathbf{C}}_{\mathbf{2}}{\mathbf{H}}_{\mathbf{2}}$ , where n = 2.

• The empirical and molecular formula of the compound can be the same only if molecular formula cannot be reduced anymore.

For example; The empirical formula of methane is ${\mathbf{CH}}_{\mathbf{4}}$ and its molecular formula is also the same i.e. ${\mathbf{CH}}_{\mathbf{4}}$.This is for the reason that the molecular formula of methane can't be simplified further and thus it is same as its empirical formula.

• For benzene, molecular formula is ${\mathbf{C}}_{\mathbf{6}}{\mathbf{H}}_{\mathbf{6}}$. Here carbon and hydrogen are present in 6:6 ratio, so it can further be reduced to simplest ratio of 1:1. Hence, empirical formula of benzene comes out to be $\mathbf{CH}$, where n = 1.

Thus, the given statement is False because the molecular formula and the empirical formula is not the same for benzene.