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The molecular formula is generally consisting of chemical symbols that are used for the constituents of elements and they are followed by the numeric subscripts that describe the total number of atoms in each element available in the molecule.

On the other hand, empirical formula shows simpler whole-integer ration of the atoms within a compound. If you go little deep then molecular formula is generally equal to the multiple of compound empirical formulas.

Further, Molecular masses are much easier to understand and easy to communicate as well. However, the information related to the bonding and atomic arrangement is lacking in case of structural formulas. Here are few important terms you should learn when working with molecular formulas. For example –

  • Structural Formula that indicates not only the number of atoms but also explain the arrangement in space.
  • Empirical Formula that explains the easy whole number ration of all the atoms in a molecule.
  • Molecular Formula that indicates the specific number of atoms and their types in a single molecule of the compound.

A molecular formula is not the chemical name of the compound but it is defined with no words. Most of the times, a molecular formula consists of easy chemical structures and it cannot be taken as the simple full structural formula. Molecular formulas are more limiting than chemical names and structural formulas.

This is possible to convert empirical formula to the molecular and the vice versa. For this purpose, you need to multiply the empirical formula with a specific whole number to reach the molecular formula.