answersLogoWhite

0

The molecular formula is the formula of a discrete (single) molecule of the substance.

The formula unit is generally defined in the same way as the empirical formula, which is the simplest whole number ratio of the elements

Chemical formula includes both molecular and formula units.

Examples:-

Benzene a molecule consisting of a ring of 6 carbon atoms each with a hydrogen attached:-

  • molecular formula C6H6
  • formula unit CH (which is the result you would get if you analysed the compound and worked out the atomic ratio of carbon to hydrogen.

NaCl is ionic so you cannot write a molecular formula you express the compound simply as the formula unit (empirical formula)- in its simplest case NaCl (never Na2Cl2 or some such)

How can you tell whether a formula is molecular formula or a formula unit. Well if the formula could be "simplified" like benzene C6H6 could be simplified to CH then you know its a molecular formula. Something like SO2 and TiO2, well you need to be told. (SO2 is molecular, TiO2 is ionic)

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

What is salts molecular?

For ionic compounds the correct term is formula unit, not molecule.


Is Cacl2 a molecular formula or formula unit?

CaCl2 is a formula unit because it represents the simplest ratio of ions in a compound made up of a metal cation (Ca2+) and a nonmetal anion (Cl-). Formula units are used for ionic compounds, while molecular formulas are used for covalent compounds.


How do you find out the formula unit of a compound?

The formula unit of a compound represents the simplest whole number ratio of elements in the compound. This can be determined by looking at the molecular formula of the compound or by performing chemical analysis to find the empirical formula. The formula unit is used in ionic compounds, while the molecular formula is used for covalent compounds.


Is K2Cr2O7 a formula unit or molecules?

K2Cr2O7 is a formula unit because it represents the simplest whole-number ratio of ions in the compound potassium dichromate. Formula units are used for ionic compounds, while molecules are used for covalent compounds.


The term formula mass can be applied to ionic compound and molecular compuonds because?

The term formula mass is generally defined as the mass of a unit cell in an ionic compound. Molecular compounds are just defined in terms of molecular mass.


Is CCI4 a molecular formula or formula unit?

CCl4 is molecular formula.


Why is it that only molecular compounds can have a molecular formula?

Because there are no compounds that aren't molecules/molecular. The question as posed is nonsense. Rephrase?


What is more useful for determining a compounds identity Empirical formulaPercent compositionOR Molecular formula?

molecular formula


Which formula show a substance that is not molecular?

A formula unit.


Why ionic compounds do not posses molecular formula?

it is not a molecule


What is molecular formula for 'ammonia nitrogen'?

Ammonia and nitrogen are two distinct compounds, not a single compound that would have a molecular formula.


What is the term for compounds that have the same molecular formula but a different molecular shape?

Isomers.