Which of the following best describes an empirical formula?

A) a chemical formula that lists the percent composition of each element

B) a chemical formula that identifies the oxidation state of each element

C) a chemical formula that shows the relative number of each type of atom in a molecule, using the smallest possible ratio

D) a chemical formula that uses the numbers of atoms of each element as they actually occur in a molecule

Option C:

a chemical formula that shows the relative number of each type of atom in a molecule, using the smallest possible ratio

Explanation:

Empirical Formula:

Empirical formula is the simplest ration of atoms in the molecule but not all numbers of atoms in a compound.

So,

Tha ration of the molecular formula should be divided by whole number to get the simplest ratio of molecule

For Example

C₂H₆O₂ Consist of Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), and Oxygen (O)

Now

Look at the ratio of these three atoms in the compound

C : H : O

2 : 6 : 2

Divide the ratio by two to get simplest ratio

C : H : O

2/2 : 6/2 : 2/2

1 : 3 : 1

So for the empirical formula the simplest ratio of carbon to hydrogen to oxygen is 1:3:1

So the empirical formula will be

Empirical formula of C₂H₆O₂ = CH₃O

So, Option C is correct:

a chemical formula that shows the relative number of each type of atom in a molecule, using the smallest possible ratio