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Formula of Hydrogen peroxide is written as H 2 O 2 but not HO.While formula of Magnesium oxide is written as MgO but not Mg 2 O 2 why?

Formula of Hydrogen peroxide is written as H2O2 but not HO.While formula of Magnesium oxide is written as MgO but not Mg2O2 why?

Grade:12th pass

2 Answers

Shivangi Khatter
askIITians Faculty 468 Points
5 years ago
this is because of the actual structure deduced by spectroscopy
Rithvik
46 Points
4 years ago

Because there is a difference between the Molecular Formula and the Empirical Formula.

The molecular formula is the formula for the molecule (i.e. glucose is C6H12O6). However, as you stated, this can be simplified to a 1:2:1 ratio, effectively making the formula CH2O. A molecular formula in its most simple whole number ratio is known as its Empirical formula.

As you should be able to see, a molecule that has the molecular formula CH2O would be very, very differently shaped than glucose.

So to answer, H2O2 CAN be written as HO, but it is not because then the formula would not represent Hydrogen peroxide, and instead represent a hydroxyl (alcohol) group which has very Very different properties than a glucose molecule.

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