Question

What is the empirical formula for C2H4(OH)2??

Answer 1

Answer : The empirical formula for $C_2H_4(OH)_2$ is, $CH_2(OH)$

Explanation :

Empirical formula : It is the simplest form of the chemical formula which depicts the whole number of atoms of each element present in the compound.  

Molecular formula : it is the chemical formula which depicts the actual number of atoms of each element present in the compound.  

For determining the empirical formula, we need to determine the least whole number and then divide the whole number by the least whole number.

The given molecular formula is, $C_2H_4(OH)_2$

In this the least whole number is, 2

So, the empirical formula will be, $C_{\frac{2}{2}}H_{\frac{4}{2}}(OH)_{\frac{2}{2}}=C_1H_2(OH)_1$

Hence, the empirical formula for $C_2H_4(OH)_2$ is, $CH_2(OH)$

Answer 2

Empirical formula for C2H4(OH)2  is
C1H3O1