Home Wikituition Browse all terms Categories
Random term
Foundations of Chemistry

Molecular Formula

The formula stating the actual number of atoms of each element present in one molecule of a compound.

Formula / equation molecular formula = n × empirical formula
Unit Dimensionless

In depth

It is found by dividing the experimentally determined molar mass by the empirical formula mass to obtain the integer multiplier n. The molecular formula still says nothing about how atoms are joined, so isomers such as ethanol and dimethyl ether share the formula C₂H₆O.

Examples in the real world

Hydrogen peroxide is H₂O₂ although its empirical formula is HO; octane is C₈H₁₈.