What is the empirical formula for benzene, C₆H₆?

The empirical formula represents the simplest whole-number ratio of the elements present in a compound. In the case of benzene, which has the molecular formula C₆H₆, the empirical formula can be determined by simplifying this ratio.

The molecules of benzene consist of 6 carbon atoms and 6 hydrogen atoms. To find the empirical formula, we divide both the number of carbon and hydrogen atoms by their greatest common divisor, which in this case is 6.

Dividing both the number of carbons (6) and hydrogens (6) by 6 gives us:

• For carbon: 6 ÷ 6 = 1

• For hydrogen: 6 ÷ 6 = 1

Thus, the empirical formula for benzene is represented as CH, reflecting a ratio of 1 carbon atom to 1 hydrogen atom. This means that in its simplest form, each molecule of benzene can be expressed as a single carbon atom bonded to a single hydrogen atom, even though in reality, it consists of six of each.

The other choices represent different ratios or formulas that do not accurately reduce to the simplest form derived from the molecular structure of benzene.