Chemical formulas provide a means of conveying information about the composition of molecules and ionic compounds. These formulas use the element symbols from the periodic table and numerical subscripts to depict the number of atoms of each element.
For ionic compounds, the chemical formula represents the ratio of ions that result in a neutral compound.
Take, for example, the formula for baking soda, \( \text{NaHCO}_3 \) , which reflects the presence of one sodium ion, one hydrogen ion, and one carbonate ion.
- Chemical formulas are critical for understanding the makeup and properties of a substance.
- They must balance the charges of the ions to maintain electrical neutrality in the compound.
- In the formula \( \text{(NH}_4\text{)}_2\text{CO}_3 \) , there are two ammonium ions \( \text{(NH}_4^+) \) for every one carbonate ion \( \text{CO}_3^{2-} \) , ensuring the entire compound remains neutral.
These formulas are foundational in chemical equations and reactions, serving as the basic language of chemistry.