What does the empirical formula of a compound provide information about?

The empirical formula of a compound offers crucial information regarding the simplest whole number ratio of the different elements present in that compound. This means it indicates the proportion of each element relative to one another, simplifying the composition of the compound without providing information on how many actual atoms are present or how they are arranged.

For example, the empirical formula for hydrogen peroxide is HO, which shows that there is a 1:1 ratio between hydrogen and oxygen; it does not reveal the actual molecular structure or how the atoms are bonded. This ratio is essential for understanding the fundamental composition of chemical substances and is useful for stoichiometric calculations in chemical reactions.

While the other choices provide varying details about compounds, they do not accurately describe what an empirical formula is intended to convey. The actual molecular structure and details regarding total mass or chemical reactions are aspects that go beyond what the empirical formula represents.