Summary
In chemistry, a chemical formula is a way of presenting information about the chemical proportions of atoms that constitute a particular chemical compound or molecule, using chemical element symbols, numbers, and sometimes also other symbols, such as parentheses, dashes, brackets, commas and plus (+) and minus (−) signs. These are limited to a single typographic line of symbols, which may include subscripts and superscripts. A chemical formula is not a chemical name since it does not contain any words. Although a chemical formula may imply certain simple chemical structures, it is not the same as a full chemical structural formula. Chemical formulae can fully specify the structure of only the simplest of molecules and chemical substances, and are generally more limited in power than chemical names and structural formulae. The simplest types of chemical formulae are called empirical formulae, which use letters and numbers indicating the numerical proportions of atoms of each type. Molecular formulae indicate the simple numbers of each type of atom in a molecule, with no information on structure. For example, the empirical formula for glucose is (twice as many hydrogen atoms as carbon and oxygen), while its molecular formula is (12 hydrogen atoms, six carbon and oxygen atoms). Sometimes a chemical formula is complicated by being written as a condensed formula (or condensed molecular formula, occasionally called a "semi-structural formula"), which conveys additional information about the particular ways in which the atoms are chemically bonded together, either in covalent bonds, ionic bonds, or various combinations of these types. This is possible if the relevant bonding is easy to show in one dimension. An example is the condensed molecular/chemical formula for ethanol, which is or . However, even a condensed chemical formula is necessarily limited in its ability to show complex bonding relationships between atoms, especially atoms that have bonds to four or more different substituents.
About this result
This page is automatically generated and may contain information that is not correct, complete, up-to-date, or relevant to your search query. The same applies to every other page on this website. Please make sure to verify the information with EPFL's official sources.
Related publications (25)

Structural elucidation and antibacterial activity of new dialkylstannyl- and chlorodialkylstannyl(IV) 3,4-dihydroisoquinoline-2-(1H)-carbodithioate

In extension with growing concern to develop new antimicrobial organometallic drugs, an attempt has been made to synthesize five new antimicrobial organotin(IV) carbodithioates with general formula, M
ELSEVIER2021
Show more
Related concepts (159)
Oxygen
Oxygen is the chemical element with the symbol O and atomic number 8. It is a member of the chalcogen group in the periodic table, a highly reactive nonmetal, and an oxidizing agent that readily forms oxides with most elements as well as with other compounds. Oxygen is Earth's most abundant element, and after hydrogen and helium, it is the third-most abundant element in the universe. At standard temperature and pressure, two atoms of the element bind to form dioxygen, a colorless and odorless diatomic gas with the formula O2.
Chemical formula
In chemistry, a chemical formula is a way of presenting information about the chemical proportions of atoms that constitute a particular chemical compound or molecule, using chemical element symbols, numbers, and sometimes also other symbols, such as parentheses, dashes, brackets, commas and plus (+) and minus (−) signs. These are limited to a single typographic line of symbols, which may include subscripts and superscripts. A chemical formula is not a chemical name since it does not contain any words.
Hydrogen
Hydrogen is the chemical element with the symbol H and atomic number 1. Hydrogen is the lightest element. At standard conditions hydrogen is a gas of diatomic molecules having the formula . It is colorless, odorless, tasteless, non-toxic, and highly combustible. Hydrogen is the most abundant chemical substance in the universe, constituting roughly 75% of all normal matter. Stars such as the Sun are mainly composed of hydrogen in the plasma state. Most of the hydrogen on Earth exists in molecular forms such as water and organic compounds.
Show more
Related courses (70)
CH-160(a): Advanced general chemistry
Cet enseignement vise l'acquisition des notions essentielles relatives à la structure de la matière, aux équilibres et à la réactivité chimiques. Le cours et les exercices fournissent la méthodologie
CH-352: Introduction to cheminformatics
Introduction aux concepts de base de cheminformatique et aux principaux outils utilisés. Applications potentielles de ces outils en recherche pour la gestion de l'information.
MSE-101(a): Materials:from chemistry to properties
Ce cours permet l'acquisition des notions essentielles relatives à la structure de la matière, aux équilibres et à la réactivité chimique en liaison avec les propriétés mécaniques, thermiques, électri
Show more
Related lectures (350)
Elementary Analysis: Chemical Quantities
Introduces the determination of chemical quantities in compounds through mass fractions and molar masses.
ChemDraw Professional: Word Usage
Covers the usage of ChemDraw Professional software for creating chemical structures and reactions.
Clay Minerals: Formation and Properties
Explores the chemical formulas and properties of clay minerals, the shaping techniques of clay, and the manufacturing process of glasses.
Show more
Related MOOCs (3)
The Art of Structures I - Cables and arcs
Ce cours présente les principes du fonctionnement, du dimensionnement et de la conception des structures. L'approche est basée sur une utilisation de la statique graphique et traite en particulier des
The Art of Structures I - Cables and arcs
L'art des structures propose une découverte du fonctionnement des structures porteuses, telles que les bâtiments, les toitures ou les ponts. Ce cours présente les principes du dimensionnement et les s
Cement Chemistry and Sustainable Cementitious Materials
Learn the basics of cement chemistry and laboratory best practices for assessment of its key properties.