molecular formula
Noun
Meaning
a chemical formula based on analysis and molecular weight
Source: WordNetSynonyms
Hypernyms
Hyponyms
Examples
Functional group isomerism Functional isomers are structural isomers that have the same molecular formula (that is, the same number of atoms of the same elements), but the atoms are connected in different ways so that the groupings are dissimilar.
Stereoisomers are isomeric molecules that have the same molecular formula and sequence of bonded atoms (constitution), but differ in the three-dimensional orientations of their atoms in space.
An example of the difference is the empirical formula for glucose, which is CH 2 O (ratio 1:2:1), while its molecular formula is C 6 H 12 O 6 (number of atoms 6:12:6).
For example, the empirical formula for glucose is CH 2 O (twice as many hydrogen atoms as carbon and oxygen), while its molecular formula is C 6 H 12 O 6 (12 hydrogen atoms, six carbon and oxygen atoms).
For water, both formulas are H 2 O. A molecular formula provides more information about a molecule than its empirical formula, but is more difficult to establish.
Hexane's molecular formula is replace, and its empirical formula is replace, showing a C:H ratio of 3:7.