Question

What do you understand by the term chemical formula?

Answer 1

Chemical Formula/Molecular Formula
The chemical formula of a compound or an element represents the composition of a molecule of the compound or an element, in terms of the symbols of elements and the number of atoms of each element present in one molecule of the compound or an element.

Example:

1. One molecule of hydrogen element contains two atoms of hydrogen, therefore, the formula of hydrogen is ${\mathrm{H}}_2$.
2. One molecule of carbon dioxide contains 1 atom of carbon and 2 atoms of oxygen. Hence, the formula of carbon dioxide is ${\mathrm{CO}}_2$.