Chemistry · Introduction to Fundamental Concepts of Chemistry
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The formula which indicates the relative numbers of different kinds of the atoms in a molecule is called:
- A
Structural formula
- B
Empirical formula
- C
Molecular formula
- D
None of the above
The molecular formula specifies the exact number of each kind of atom in a molecule, making it the correct choice for defining the relative numbers of different atoms. The structural formula gives more information about the arrangement and bonding of atoms, not just their counts. The empirical formula provides a simplified ratio of atoms rather than the actual count, and 'None of the above' is incorrect because the molecular formula is the type of formula described in the question.
A structural formula represents the arrangement of atoms in a molecule and the bonds between them. It shows more detail than just the number of each type of atom.
The empirical formula shows the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms in a compound, not the exact number of atoms per molecule. It is a reduced form of the molecular formula.
The molecular formula provides the actual number of each type of atom in a molecule. For example, C4H10 indicates there are four carbon atoms and ten hydrogen atoms in a molecule of butane.
This option is incorrect as the correct answer is provided among the given choices.
Tagged under Chemistry · Introduction to Fundamental Concepts of Chemistry · 2002