Because the individual atoms in a compound are combined in integer ratios, and each element has a specific atomic mass, it is possible to use mole calculations to determine chemical formulas. The two types of chemical formulas are molecular formulas and the empirical formulas.
– Often, the empirical formula is the same as the molecular formula.
The molecular formula shows the actual number of atoms in a substance. For example, C3H6.
The empirical formula shows the lowest whole number ratio of atoms in a substance. For example, the empirical formula of the previous substance would be CH2.
