can some one please compare and contrast molecular formula and a structural formula.
Thank you.
2007-08-24 08:41:53 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
The molecular formula states the number of each type of atom in a substance.
The structural formula states which atom is attached to which atom.
Taking Ethanol (Ethyl Alcohol) as an example.
Molecular formula is C2H6O - it is just the numbers of carbon hydrogen and oxygen in the molecule.
Structural formula is CH3CH2OH
Written in this form it means that the first carbon has three hydrogens attached and the carbon itself is attached to the next carbon(2). The second carbon is attached to two hydrogens and one oxygen. Finally the one oxygen is attached to one hydorgen.
2007-08-24 09:24:03 · answer #1 · answered by lenpol7 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The difference between the molecular formula and structural formula is that the molecular formula is a chemical formula that indicates the kinds of atoms and the number of each kind in a molecule of a compound. A structural formula that shows the number and kinds of atoms in a molecule and how the atoms and bonds in the molecule are arranged.
2007-08-24 16:48:26 · answer #2 · answered by spx18 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A molecular formula tells you exactly how many of each type of atoms are in the compound.
A structural formula shows you how these atoms are bonded together.
2007-08-24 15:54:27 · answer #3 · answered by science teacher 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋