Determine the empirical and molecular formulas of the mandelic acid​

Both empirical and molecular are C₈H₈O₃.

Explanation:

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In this case, according the attached picture, it is possible to figure out the molecular formula of the mandelic acid by counting each carbon, hydrogen and oxygen in the molecule.

In such a way, we can see the presence of eight carbon atoms, eight hydrogen atoms and three carbon atoms; thus, the molecular formula is:

C₈H₈O₃

Furthermore, since the empirical formula is the smallest representation of the molecular formula when we are able to simplify it, we evidence no simplification is possible, consequently, the empirical formula equals the molecular one.

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the number of valence electrons for each molecule or ion is shown beneath the structure. remember hydrogen will not have more than two electrons. this hydrogen is part of a covalent bond (sharing two electrons). a double bond here would cause hydrogen to share four electrons with phosphorus.