What are the difference between empirical formula and molecular formula?
The empirical formula simply states the ratios of the elements that make up the molecule, while molecular formulas specify the amounts of each element exactly, not just giving the ratio.
When must parentheses be used in a formula for a compound?
In general, When writing the chemical formula of a compound that contains a polyatomic ion, in order to indicate more than one polyatomic ion in the formula, put parentheses around the polyatomic ion before writing the subscript.
What condition must be met in writing a balanced formula for an ionic compound?
What condition must be met when writing a formula for an ionic compound? The charge of the ions must balance.
How is the formula of a compound useful?
Chemical formulas are very important when trying to find information about a chemical compound because they provide what elements are present and also the proportion of the atoms of elements found in a chemical substance or compound.
What does it mean when a formula has parentheses?
Very often in chemical formulae, we use parentheses to form subgroups of atoms within a molecule. In such a formula, the subscript outside the parentheses means that to count atoms, you must multiply that subscript by the numbers of atoms inside. Here’s an example.
Why do we study matter in chemistry?
Chemistry is also the study of matter’s composition, structure, and properties. Matter is essentially anything in the world that takes up space and has mass. Chemistry is sometimes called “the central science,” because it bridges physics with other natural sciences, such as geology and biology.
Where can we find matter?
Even though matter can be found all over the Universe, you will only find it in a few forms (states) on Earth. We cover five states of matter on the site. Each of those states is sometimes called a phase. There are many other states of matter that exist in extreme environments.