answersLogoWhite

0

Once you get into the realm of compounds you are really looking at two types---ionic and molecular. Molecular compounds are made up of all the same type of molecule, and those molecules consist of a series of atoms covalently bonded together. The molecular formula of a molecular compound gives the number of each type of atom that makes up the molecule. Ionic compounds are different---there are no definable molecules present, just lattices of alternating positive and negative ions (charged atoms). So unlike molecular compounds there is no definable subunit in an ionic compound. Instead ionic compounds are represented by the simplest ratio of ions in the compound. For instance, in table salt there is one sodium ion per chlorine ion so the formula is NaCl. that does not mean there are little NaCl molecules making up the compound, just that the ratio of those two ions is 1:1. In calcium chloride there are two chloride ions for every calcium ion, so its formula is CaCl2. So the simple answe to the question is that molecular formulas are not used for ionic compounds because they are not comprised of molecules. That does not keep people (even chemists) from referring to the formulas of ionic compounds as "molecular formulas" but it is technically a misnomer. Simply calling them "formulas" or "ionic formulas" would be more appropriate.

User Avatar

Wiki User

16y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

What is the molecular formula of the compound with the keyword C8H14O3?

The molecular formula of the compound with the keyword C8H14O3 is C8H14O3.


What represent a molecular compound?

This is the chemical formula (empirical formula) or the formula unit of this compound.


Can the empirical formula of a compound be triple its molecular formula?

No, the empirical formula represents the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms in a compound, while the molecular formula shows the actual number of each element present in a compound. Therefore, the empirical formula cannot be triple the molecular formula.


Does ethanol have a compound?

Ethanol is a compound. Its molecular formula is C2H5OH.


The molecular mass of the compound is 132 amu. What is the molecular formula?

To determine the molecular formula of a compound with a molecular mass of 132 amu, you would need additional information such as the elements present in the compound and their respective atomic masses. Without this information, it is not possible to determine the molecular formula.


What is the molecular formula of the compound CH2 with molar mass = 42.0?

The molecular formula of a compound can not be determined solely based on its molar mass. In this case, without additional information, it is not possible to determine the molecular formula of the compound CH2.


The empirical formula of a compound is ch2its molecular mass is 70 gmol what is its molecular formula?

C5h10


How do you find molecular fomula?

To find the molecular formula of a compound, you need to know its empirical formula and molar mass. Divide the molar mass of the compound by the molar mass of the empirical formula to find the "multiplication factor." Multiply the subscripts in the empirical formula by this factor to get the molecular formula.


What is the order of atoms in the molecular formula of the compound?

The order of atoms in a molecular formula indicates the arrangement of different elements in a compound. The molecular formula provides information about the types and numbers of atoms present in a molecule.


What formula represents a molecular compound?

Organic formula is a formula that shows an organic compound and its molecular arrangement.


What is the formula for molecular compound nitrogen monoxide?

NO


The chemical formula of a molecular compound is a?

terd