Final answer:
In increasing order, to understand the details about a chemical compound, the molecular formula provides the least, followed by a structural formula with more information, and finally, a 3-D formula offers the most comprehensive insight into the compound.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question concerns the types of chemical formulas and their ability to convey information about a chemical compound. To answer which chemical formula provides the most information about a chemical compound in increasing order, we look at the three types mentioned: molecular formula, structural formula, and 3-D formula.
Firstly, a molecular formula gives the simplest representation by indicating only the actual number of each type of atom in a molecule. For example, the molecular formula for butane is C4H10 which tells us there are 4 carbon and 10 hydrogen atoms but not how they are arranged.
Next, a structural formula provides more detail by showing the specific arrangement of atoms and the bonds between them. For instance, the structural formula for butane shows the linear arrangement of carbon atoms, while for 2-methylpropane, a branching pattern is evident. This helps to identify different isomers of a compound with the same molecular formula.
The most detailed representation is provided by a 3-D formula, such as ball-and-stick or space-filling models, which show the geometric arrangement and the relative sizes of the atoms in a molecule. Hence, a 3-D formula conveys the most physical and chemical behavior detail about the compound.
Therefore, in increasing order, the correct sequence of formulas providing the most to least information is:
- molecular formula
- structural formula
- 3-D formula