Which statement is true when comparing acetic acid C₂H₄O₂ and formaldehyde CH₂O?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The empirical formula represents the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms in a compound, while the molecular formula represents the actual number of atoms of each element in a molecule. Acetic acid (C2H4O2) and formaldehyde (CH2O) have different molecular formulas, indicating they are different substances with a different number of atoms. However, their empirical formulas are the same (CH2O) when reduced to the simplest whole-number ratio, making both statements A and C correct.

Which Statement Is True When Comparing Acetic Acid C₂H₄O₂ and Formaldehyde