molekulaképlet

A molekulaképlet, often translated as molecular formula, is a representation of a chemical compound that indicates the exact number of atoms of each element present in a single molecule. It uses the chemical symbols of the elements, with subscripts to denote the quantity of each atom. For instance, 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 per molecule.

The molecular formula provides crucial information about the composition of a molecule, distinguishing it from other compounds that might have the same elements but in different proportions. It is distinct from an empirical formula, which represents the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms in a compound. For example, the empirical formula for glucose is CH₂O, while its molecular formula is C₆H₁₂O₆. Determining the molecular formula often requires additional information, such as the molar mass of the compound, in conjunction with its empirical formula. This information is fundamental in understanding the structure and properties of chemical substances and is a cornerstone of chemical nomenclature and analysis.