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What is the significance of molecular formula?


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Solution

Molecular formula: The symbolic representation of the composition of a molecule is known as a molecular formula.

  • It indicates the number of atoms of different elements present in one molecule of the compound.
  • Example: H2O is the molecular formula of water.

Significance of molecular formula:

  • With the help of molecular formulas, all the elements present in a compound can be known. For example: for water, it tells us that water is made up of Hydrogen (H) and Oxygen (O).
  • The number of atoms of each type of atom present in a compound can also be known. For example: in water, two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen are present.
  • The relative molecular mass of a compound can be calculated by the addition of the relative atomic mass of atoms if the molecular formula is known. For example: The relative atomic mass of hydrogen and oxygen is 1amuand16amu. So the relative molecular mass of water is 18amu.
  • By knowing how many atoms of each type are present through molecular formula, the percentage composition of each element can be found in a compound. Example: in water, it tells that 2 parts out of 18 is hydrogen or 11.11% is hydrogen and 1 part is oxygen or 88.88% is oxygen.

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