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

As long as the molecular or empirical formula of the compound in question is known, the percent composition may be derived from the atomic or molar masses of the compound's elements.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

What is the empirical formula of this compound?

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

Note that a molecular formula is always a whole- number multiple of an empirical formula.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

To convert this into a whole number, multiply each of the subscripts by two, retaining the same atom ratio and yielding Cl2O7 as the final empirical formula.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

In other words, twenty-four different compounds, all having the same empirical formula and similar sugar-like properties are theoretically possible.

From The Chemistry of Plant Life by Thatcher, Roscoe Wilfred