Molekulvalemit

Molekulvalemit, often translated as molecular formula, is a way to represent the types and numbers of atoms present in a molecule. It uses chemical symbols to denote the elements and subscript numbers to indicate the quantity of each atom. For example, the molecular formula for water is H₂O, signifying that each molecule of water contains two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. Similarly, the molecular formula for glucose is C₆H₁₂O₆, indicating six carbon atoms, twelve hydrogen atoms, and six oxygen atoms.

The molecular formula provides crucial information about the composition of a substance at the molecular level. It is distinct from empirical formulas, which represent the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms in a compound. For instance, while glucose has a molecular formula of C₆H₁₂O₆, its empirical formula is CH₂O. The molecular formula is essential for understanding chemical reactions, determining molar mass, and identifying compounds. It is a fundamental concept in chemistry, used across various sub-disciplines to describe the building blocks of matter. Accurate determination of molecular formulas is often achieved through techniques like mass spectrometry and elemental analysis.