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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