empirical formula

American  

noun

Chemistry.

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

---

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

---

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

---

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

Determine the empirical formula for the white solid and write balanced chemical equations for the reactions involving xenon.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

Determining the absolute numbers of atoms that compose a single molecule of a covalent compound requires knowledge of both its empirical formula and its molecular mass or molar mass.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

What is the empirical formula of the xenon fluoride in the original sample?

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

What is the empirical formula of this compound?

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

In this and its properties it appeared to be identical with the product isolated by Cross and Bevan from jute, with the empirical formula C19H18Cl4O9.

From Researches on Cellulose 1895-1900 by Cross, C. F.