Final answer:
Chemical compounds are represented by molecular formulas, which show the types and numbers of atoms in each molecule. These formulas are distinct from empirical formulas and are critical in understanding a compound's composition and in calculating its molecular mass.
Step-by-step explanation:
Chemical compounds can be represented by molecular formulas, which provide detailed information about the composition of a compound. A molecular formula includes the chemical symbols of the elements that make up the compound, accompanied by numerical subscripts. These subscripts indicate the number of atoms of each element present in the molecule. For instance, the molecular formula for water is H2O, signifying that each molecule contains 2 hydrogen atoms and 1 oxygen atom.
It's important to note that molecular formulas differ from empirical formulas, which show the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms in a compound. While the molecular formula represents the actual number of atoms, the empirical formula might be a reduced form of the molecular formula. For example, the empirical formula for glucose is CH2O, while its molecular formula is C6H12O6, illustrating that glucose molecules consist of 6 carbon atoms, 12 hydrogen atoms, and 6 oxygen atoms.
Molecular formulas are essential for understanding the composition of molecular compounds and play a crucial role in various chemical calculations, such as determining the molecular mass.