The empirical formula for C2H6 is CH3.
To determine the empirical formula, we need to simplify the molecular formula by dividing the subscripts by their greatest common divisor. In C2H6, the ratio of carbon (C) to hydrogen (H) is 2:6.
We can simplify this ratio by dividing both numbers by 2, which is the greatest common divisor of 2 and 6. This gives us:
- Carbon: 2 ÷ 2 = 1
- Hydrogen: 6 ÷ 2 = 3
Thus, the empirical formula is CH3, indicating the simplest whole-number ratio of the constituent elements in the compound.