What is the difference between #"formula unit"# and #"empirical formula"#?

1 Answer
anor277
Sep 4, 2016

A #"formula unit"# is in effect the #"empirical formula"#, and it is particularly used to describe non-molecular species.

Explanation:

And the #"empirical formula"# is the simplest whole number ratio that describes consitiuent atoms in a species.

Typically, we use #"formula unit"# when we describe the composition of non-molecular entities such as salts. Common salt, sodium chloride, is certainly not molecular. Its description by its formula unit as #NaCl# is unambiguous.

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