Molecular formula

Molecular formula is a representation of the number and type of atoms present in a single molecule of a substance. It does not provide information about the way those atoms are arranged or the bonds between them, but it does give the exact number of each type of atom in the molecule.

Overview

A molecular formula consists of the chemical symbols for the elements involved in the molecule, with subscript numbers indicating the number of each type of atom in the molecule. For example, the molecular formula for water is H₂O, indicating that each molecule of water consists of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.

Determining Molecular Formulas

The molecular formula of a compound can be determined from its empirical formula and its molar mass. The empirical formula is the simplest whole number ratio of atoms in a compound, while the molar mass is the mass of one mole of the compound. By comparing the molar mass of the compound to the mass of the empirical formula, the molecular formula can be determined.

Examples

Some common examples of molecular formulas include:

• H₂O for Water
• C₆H₁₂O₆ for Glucose
• C₂H₆O for Ethanol

See Also

• Empirical formula
• Molar mass
• Chemical compound
• Chemical formula

References

Molecular formula Resources
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