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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