Question

What information do we get from a formula? From an equation?

Short answer

A chemical formula depicts:

1. The constituent elements in the respective compound.

2. One mole of molecules.

The chemical equation represents:

1. The reactants and products.

2. The amount of heat released/absorbed.

3. The nature of the reaction (whether reversible/irreversible).

Step-by-step solution

Chemical formula

For example, consider the formula of calcium carbonate. It is ${\mathbf{CaCO}}_{\mathbf{3}}$. It represents the constituent elements in it. It also represents molecules of${\mathbf{CaCO}}_{\mathbf{3}}$ . Also, the number of atoms of each element that participated in forming the compound can be identified.

Chemical equation

The symbolic representation of a chemical reaction is done by using a chemical equation. It gives information about the chemical substances’ interconversion. Reactants are the substances involved in the reaction whereas the substances produced after the reaction are called products.

Conclusion

Thus, both formula and equation are the short form notations used to understand a certain chemical change within the reactants and products.