* Empirical Formula: The simplest whole-number ratio of atoms in a compound.
Let's analyze each formula:
* C12H16O3: This formula can be simplified by dividing all subscripts by 4, giving us C3H4O0.75. Since we need whole numbers, this is not an empirical formula.
* C6H12O4: This formula can be simplified by dividing all subscripts by 2, giving us C3H6O2. This is an empirical formula.
* C12H22O11: This formula can be simplified by dividing all subscripts by 11, giving us C1.09H2O1. Since we need whole numbers, this is not an empirical formula.
* C3H8O2: This formula cannot be simplified further and is already in its simplest whole-number ratio. This is an empirical formula.
Therefore:
* C12H16O3 and C12H22O11 are definitely not empirical formulas.
* C6H12O4 and C3H8O2 are empirical formulas.