molecular formula
Compound's atomic recipe
A molecular formula shows the exact number of each type of atom in a molecule, using element symbols and subscript numbers: H₂O for water (two hydrogen atoms, one oxygen), C₆H₁₂O₆ for glucose.
Unlike structural formulas, it doesn't show how atoms are arranged or bonded—different compounds can share the same molecular formula.
Smallest elemental units
- bondsTies that unite
- stoichiometryQuantitative chemical reaction analysis
- valenceCombining power measure
- molar massGrams per mole measurement
chemical composition · covalent · ionic · subscripts · coefficients · ratios · isomers · hydrocarbons
Simplest atomic element
- oxygenElement eight, colorless gas
- carbonSixth element, atomic symbol C
- nitrogenElement seven, colorless gas
- sulfurYellow combustible element
phosphorus · chlorine · sodium · calcium · iron · potassium · magnesium · helium
Below-baseline text markers
- superscriptsCharacters set above the line
- symbolsMarks conveying meaning
- coefficientsNumerical multipliers in expressions
- parenthesesCurved enclosing punctuation marks
integers · syntax · representation · expression · abbreviation
Clear essential liquid
- glucosePrimary cellular fuel
- methaneSimplest alkane fuel
- ethanolDrinkable volatile spirit
- ammoniaAcrid nitrogen-hydrogen gas
sulfuric acid · acetic acid · benzene · aspirin · caffeine · DNA · ATP · hemoglobin
atoms
Smallest elemental units
- bondsTies that unite
- stoichiometryQuantitative chemical reaction analysis
- valenceCombining power measure
molar mass · chemical composition · covalent · ionic · subscripts · coefficients · ratios · isomers · hydrocarbons · organic chemistry
hydrogen
Simplest atomic element
- oxygenElement eight, colorless gas
- carbonSixth element, atomic symbol C
- nitrogenElement seven, colorless gas
sulfur · phosphorus · chlorine · sodium · calcium · iron · potassium · magnesium · helium · fluorine
subscripts
Below-baseline text markers
- superscriptsCharacters set above the line
- symbolsMarks conveying meaning
- coefficientsNumerical multipliers in expressions
parentheses · integers · syntax · representation · expression · abbreviation
water
Clear essential liquid
ammonia · sulfuric acid · acetic acid · benzene · aspirin · caffeine · DNA · ATP · hemoglobin · insulin
- Formulaspercent change, E=mc2, PV=nRT, Pythagorean theorem, ideal gas law
- Chemistry Notationchemical symbol, chemical equation, subscript, superscript, coefficient
- Molecular Propertiessolubility, polarity, hydrophobicity, melting point, boiling point
- symbolssymbols, runes, symbol, asterisks, national symbol
- Chemical Nomenclaturenomenclature, common names
- Atomic Massatomic mass, atomic mass unit, molar mass, mass number, weighted average
formula, formulate, molecule, molecular, formulation, formulated, formulating, formulates, reformulate