Question

Explain the terms: empirical formula and molecular formula.

Answer 1

Empirical formula of a compound is the formula that gives the number of atoms of different elements present in the compound in their simplest numerical ratio. It does not represent the actual number of atoms in the compound. Actual number of atoms in the compound are integral multiple of this formula.
Molecular formula of a compound is the formula representing the accurate number of atoms of different elements in the compound.
For example, the molecular formula of glucose is C₆H₁₂O₆, which represents the actual number of different elements present in it, and the empirical formula of glucose is CH₂O, which represents the simplest ratio of all the elements in its molecular formula.