A chemical formula is a
model of a chemical substance and states the type and number of atoms. The
chemical formula uses symbols and numbers that represent the elements. In a
chemical formula the symbol of the element is shown with a subscript that tells
us the amount of atoms in the element. This topic is important to know and understand
because it can convey certain information about the atomic composition of a
substance. This makes it easier and more efficient to break down an element.
Facts:
·
The invention of chemical formulas was
based off of the “law of definite proportions”.
·
Oxidization numbers are used to write
chemical formulas. The sum of the oxidization numbers in a compound needs to
equal zero.
·
The chemical formula gives the formula
weight and represents the percentages of elements in a compound.
·
Element symbols used in the periodic
table are the same in a chemical formula.
·
There are three ways of representing
chemical formulas which include molecular formulas, empirical formulas, and
structural formulas.
o
Molecular Formula: They show the number
of atoms in the molecules of a substance.
o
Empirical Formula: Only use letters and
numbers showing atomic ratios.
o
Structural Formula: A graphic representation
of the molecular structure that shows how the atoms are arranged.
Question:
·
Can
you make a structural formula for any elements in your own way? Or is there a
specific way to draw one?
·
How
are you supposed to write out a chemical formula?
Example:
In
water, the chemical formula is H2O. Therefore, the H stands for “hydrogen”, the
2 stands for two hydrogen atoms, and the O stands for one oxygen atom.
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