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The order of the elements in the chemical formula is sometimes written in such a way to clarify the structure of the chemical compound. For example, take a molecul which has two carbon atoms, six hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. The chemical formula could be written as C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>6</sub>O, however this does not clarify the structure of the molecule. C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub>OH lets the chemist know that there is a [[hydroxyl]] group, OH in the molecule. Now the chemist knows that the compound is an alcohol, ethanol. To clarify the structure even more, it could be written as CH<sub>3</sub>CH<sub>2</sub>OH, to show that three hydrogens are bonded to the first carbon, which is itself bonded to a second carbon. The second carbon is bonded to two hydrogens and a hydroxyl group.
The order of the elements in the chemical formula is sometimes written in such a way to clarify the structure of the chemical compound. For example, take a molecul which has two carbon atoms, six hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. The chemical formula could be written as C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>6</sub>O, however this does not clarify the structure of the molecule. C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub>OH lets the chemist know that there is a [[hydroxyl]] group, OH in the molecule. Now the chemist knows that the compound is an alcohol, ethanol. To clarify the structure even more, it could be written as CH<sub>3</sub>CH<sub>2</sub>OH, to show that three hydrogens are bonded to the first carbon, which is itself bonded to a second carbon. The second carbon is bonded to two hydrogens and a hydroxyl group.
===Molecular Formula===
The molecular formula is the chemical formula that indicates the actual numbers and types of atoms in a molecule.<br>
The molecular formula of ethanol
::C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub>OH
===Empirical Formula===
The empirical formula is the chemical formula that gives only the relative number of atoms of each type in a molecule.<br>
The empirical formula of ethylene
::CH<sub>2</sub>
The molecular formula of ethylene
::C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>4</sub>
[[Category:Chemistry]]
[[Category:Chemistry]]