Empirical & Molecular Formulae
- The molecular formula is the formula that shows the number and type of each atom in a molecule
- E.g. the molecular formula of ethanoic acid is C2H4O2
- The empirical formula is the simplest whole number ratio of the atoms of each element present in one molecule or formula unit of the compound
- E.g. the empirical formula of ethanoic acid is CH2O
- Organic molecules often have different empirical and molecular formulae
- The formula of an ionic compound is always an empirical formula