Empirical formula & Molecular formula

Empirical formula is a chemical formula that shows the simplest ratio of atoms of each element present in a compound.

Molecular formula is a chemical formula that shows the actual number of atoms of each element present in one molecule of a compound.

The empirical formula of an ionic compound is similar to its formula unit.

Example: the empirical formula of sodium chloride is NaCl; the formula unit of sodium chloride is NaCl.

The molecular formula of a molecular compound is a multiple of its empirical formula.

Example: The empirical formula of Glucose is CH₂O; the molecular formula of Glucose is C₆H₁₂O₆.

Molecular Formula = n(Empirical Formula)

n = integer (1, 2, 3…)