Summary

Juan Sanjur
11°P
Chapter 7 Lesson 4: Determining Chemical Formulas

Determining chemical formulas is an important concept in chemistry, as it allows scientists to

identify and describe the composition of chemical compounds. There are several methods that
can be used to determine chemical formulas, including empirical formulas, molecular formulas,
and structural formulas.

Empirical formulas are the simplest type of formula and show the ratio of atoms in a compound
in their lowest whole-number form. They are determined by dividing the number of each type of
atom in a compound by their greatest common factor. For example, the empirical formula for
glucose is CH2O.

Molecular formulas show the actual number of each type of atom in a compound, and can be
determined from empirical formulas by calculating the molecular weight of the compound and
dividing by the empirical formula weight. For example, the molecular formula for glucose is
C6H12O6, which is six times the empirical formula CH2O.

Structural formulas show the arrangement of atoms in a molecule and can be determined using
various techniques such as X-ray crystallography or spectroscopy. These formulas are
particularly useful for understanding the three-dimensional structure of molecules and how they
interact with other molecules.

Overall, determining chemical formulas is a crucial aspect of chemistry as it allows scientists to

identify and understand the properties and behavior of different compounds. By using various
techniques to determine the formulas, chemists can gain a deeper understanding of the
composition and structure of molecules.