Question

Which of the following pairs share the same empirical formula?

Select one:
a. CH4 and C2H4
b. PbCl2 and PbCl4
c. N2O5 and NO2
d. C2H6 and C4H12

Answer 1

C2H6 and C4H12 share the same emperical formula of CH3 as the both compounds can be reduced by the smallest subscript in each compound. So C2H6 will be reduced by 2 making CH3 and C4H12 can be reduced by 4 making CH3

Answer 2

Answer: The correct option is d.

Explanation: Empirical formula is a chemical formula which has the simplest ratio of elements present in a chemical compound.

From the given following pairs, the pair which shares the same empirical formula is $C_2H_6\text{ and }C_4H_{12}$

Empirical formula of $C_2H_6$ is $CH_3$ (by dividing the coefficients of $C_2H_6$ by 3)

Empirical formula of $C_4H_{12}$ is $CH_3$ (by dividing the coefficients of $C_4H_{12}$ by 3)

Both the chemical formulas have same empirical formula. Hence, the correct option is d.