Question

What are the two types of chemical formulae?

Answer 1

Definition of chemical formulae:

1. A set of chemical symbols of all the elements present in a molecule of that substance in appropriate proportions is known as a chemical formula.

Types of chemical formulae:

1. Molecular formula: A formula that gives the total number of atoms of all the elements in the molecule.
2. Empirical formula: A formula that gives the simplest ratio of the atoms of all the elements in the molecule.

Example:

1. The molecular formula of Benzene is $\mathbf{\left(}{\mathbf{C}}_{\mathbf{6}}{\mathbf{H}}_{\mathbf{6}}\mathbf{\right)}$, showing there are six carbon atoms and six hydrogen atoms.
2. The empirical formula of Benzene is $\mathbf{\left(}\mathbf{CH}\mathbf{\right)}$, showing the simplest ratio of carbon and hydrogen atoms.