molekyylikaavassa

Molekyylikaavassa, or molecular formula in English, is a chemical notation that indicates the exact number of atoms of each element present in a molecule of a substance. It is written by listing the chemical symbols of the constituent elements followed by subscripts indicating the number of atoms of each element. 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.

The molecular formula provides crucial information about the composition of a molecule. It is distinct from the 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. The molecular formula is essential for understanding the structure and properties of chemical substances, as well as for performing stoichiometric calculations in chemical reactions. It is a fundamental concept in chemistry and is used widely in academic and industrial settings.