Final answer:
The molecular formula indicates the types and numbers of atoms in a molecule using chemical symbols and subscripts but does not show the atom arrangement. Instead, the structural formula, along with ball-and-stick and space-filling models, provides a detailed representation of how atoms are connected and organized spatially.
Step-by-step explanation:
A molecular formula provides the necessary information regarding the type and number of atoms in a molecule. It uses chemical symbols and subscripts to convey this information clearly. When a molecule contains only one atom of a particular element, no subscript is used; however, if there are multiple atoms of the same element, this is indicated by the appropriate subscript. The molecular formula for a compound such as C4H10 reveals that there are 4 carbon atoms and 10 hydrogen atoms, but it does not specify the arrangement of these atoms or the isomer it represents. To understand how the atoms are bonded and their spatial organization, we turn to a structural formula.
The structural formula is more descriptive than the molecular formula, as it represents the bonds between atoms and might hint at the geometric layout of the atoms, unlike the molecular formula which only counts atoms. An example would be methane, whose structural formula shows one carbon atom bound to four hydrogen atoms. Structural formulas can be further depicted through ball-and-stick or space-filling models, which show the geometric and relative size of atoms in a molecule.
It's important to note that while molecular formulas are succinct and useful for identifying the components of a molecule, they cannot differentiate between isomers, which are compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural arrangements of atoms. This level of detail is captured by the structural formula, which is essential for interpreting the physical and chemical behavior of the compound.