molecular formula

American  

noun

Chemistry.

1. a chemical formula that indicates the kinds of atoms and the number of each kind in a molecule of a compound.

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molecular formula British  

noun

1. a chemical formula indicating the numbers and types of atoms in a molecule Compare empirical formula structural formula

   H2SO4 is the molecular formula of sulphuric acid

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molecular formula Scientific  

1. A chemical formula that shows the total number and kinds of atoms in a molecule, but not their structural arrangement. For example, the molecular formula of aspirin is C ₉ H ₈ O ₄.

2. Compare empirical formula structural formula

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Etymology

Origin of molecular formula

First recorded in 1900–05

Compare meaning

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

• empirical vs. molecular formula
• empirical formula vs. molecular formula
• molecular formula vs. structural formula

Example Sentences

With a molecular formula of C17H24O7, the compound was found to feature a distinctive ribose moiety, identified as α-ribofuranoside through stereochemical analysis.

From Science Daily • Mar. 11, 2024

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

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

Because an ionic compound is not made up of single, discrete molecules, it may not be properly symbolized using a molecular formula.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

H2 is a molecular formula; it represents a diatomic molecule of hydrogen, consisting of two atoms of the element that are chemically bonded together.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

There is some doubt as to the molecular formula of fulminic acid.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 3 "Frost" to "Fyzabad" by Various