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What is chemical formula? Enlist its significance

Answer 1

Understanding the concept:

• A chemical formula determines the atoms for each element in a given compound.
• It includes symbols for the atoms of an element in the compound.
• It also involves the number of each element (in the form of subscripts).
• Example in Sodium chloride,$\mathrm{NaCl}$ there is one atom of sodium combined with one atom of chlorine.
• Also in, sodium Oxide,${\mathrm{Na}}_2\mathrm{O}$ two atoms of sodium combines with one atom of oxygen, as there are two atoms of sodium represented in the form of subscript.

Significance of a chemical formula:

• The name of an element is represented by the formula.
• Chemical formulae give information about a compound's elemental composition.
• They also show how the basic parts interact to generate the compound.
• Ions, free radicals, as well as other chemical species can also be represented using chemical equations.
• Chemical formulae are essential for learning about chemical compounds, they reveal the elements and number of atoms in a substance.
• Example – Salt – NaCl, contains one atom of each sodium and chlorine atom.
• Ethanol${\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5\mathrm{OH}$, the molecule of ethanol contains two Carbon, 6 Hydrogen, and 1 Oxygen atom.