A formula that shows the simplest whole number ratio of atoms in a compound.
A formula that shows the simplest whole number ratio of atoms in a compound. The empirical formula for calcium chloride is CaCl2, which means there are two chlorine atoms for every calcium atom. For covalent compounds, the empirical formula is often simpler than the molecular formula. Glucose, for example, has a molecular formula of C6H12O6, which simplifies to an empirical formula of CH2O.
The empirical formula for calcium chloride is CaCl2, which means there are two chlorine atoms for every calcium atom. For covalent compounds, the empirical formula is often simpler than the molecular formula. Glucose, for example, has a molecular formula of C6H12O6, which simplifies to an empirical formula of CH2O.