Question

What is the difference between a molecular formula and a structural formula?

A molecular formula will show the actual number of atoms in a molecule, while the structural formula will show the organization and layout of the atoms in the compound.

A molecular formula will show the smallest whole-number ratio for the different atoms in a compound, while the structural formula will show the actual number of atoms in a molecule.

A molecular formula will show the smallest whole-number ratio for the different atoms in a compound, while the structural formula will show the organization and layout of the atoms in a compound.

A molecular formula will show the organization and layout of the atoms in the compound, while the structural formula will show the actual number of atoms in a molecule.

Answer 1

There are three main types of chemical formulas: empirical, molecular and structural. Empirical formulas show the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms in a compound, molecular formulas show the number of each type of atom in a molecule, and structural formulas show how the atoms in a molecule are bonded to each other.