Interpretation: The empirical formula for tartaric acid should be identified.
Concept Introduction: An empirical formula represents the various atoms in a compound in the simplest whole-number ratio. It does not represent the actual number or arrangement of atoms in a compound.
Answer to Problem 3STP
Correct answer: option (A)
Explanation of Solution
Reason for the correct option:
The given structural formula of tartaric acid is:
Determining the correct molecular formula of the tartaric acid by calculating the number of atoms of each element present in tartaric acid as:
So, the molecular formula of tartaric acid is,
Now to determine the empirical formula, the subscripts of the molecular formula are reduced to the simplest whole-number ratio:
Hence, the empirical formula for tartaric acid is
Chapter 10 Solutions
Chemistry 2012 Student Edition (hard Cover) Grade 11
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