empirical formula

American  

noun

Chemistry.

1. a chemical formula indicating the elements of a compound and their relative proportions, as (CH 2 O) n .

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empirical formula British  

noun

1. a chemical formula indicating the proportion of each element present in a molecule Compare molecular formula structural formula

   C6H12O6 is the molecular formula of sucrose whereas CH2O is its empirical formula

2. a formula or expression obtained from experimental data rather than theory

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empirical formula Scientific  

1. A chemical formula that indicates the relative proportions of the elements in a molecule rather than the actual number of atoms of the elements. The empirical formula of a compound may be simpler than its molecular formula, which is a multiple of the empirical formula. For example, glucose has the molecular formula C ₆ H ₁₂ O ₆ but the empirical formula CH ₂ O.

2. Compare molecular formula structural formula

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Etymology

Origin of empirical formula

First recorded in 1820–30

Compare meaning

How does empirical-formula compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• empirical formula vs. molecular formula

Example Sentences

In the last step, realize that the smallest whole number ratio is the empirical formula:

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

In this case, dividing by the smallest subscript still leaves us with a decimal subscript in the empirical formula.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

The empirical formula is XeF6, and the balanced reactions are:

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

The molecular formula is thus derived from the empirical formula by multiplying each of its subscripts by three:

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

We offer these views, however, only as suggestions to others more competent to grapple with the question, as promising a satisfactory solution of Bode’s empirical formula.

From Outlines of a Mechanical Theory of Storms Containing the True Law of Lunar Influence by Bassnett, Thomas