Question

What is the significance of a chemical formula? Explain with the help of an example.

Answer 1

Chemical formula: A chemical formula tells us the number of atoms of each element in a compound. It contains the symbols of the atoms of the elements present in the compound as well as how many there are for each element in the form of subscripts.

For example, Magnesium chloride $\left({\mathrm{MgCl}}_2\right)$and Carbon dioxide $\left({\mathrm{CO}}_2\right).$

The chemical formula of carbon dioxide is ${\mathrm{CO}}_2$, we come to know that one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms are chemically bonded together to form one molecule of the compound, carbon dioxide. A chemical formula denotes the number of various atoms present in the chemical compound.

The formula of magnesium chloride is $\left({\mathrm{MgCl}}_2\right)$. It means there are one atom of magnesium and two atoms of chlorine in the compound.