empirical formula
noun Chemistry.
a chemical formula indicating the elements of a compound and their relative proportions, as (CH2O)n.
Compare
molecular formula,
structural formula.
Origin of empirical formula
First recorded in 1820–30
Words nearby empirical formula
empire state of the south,
empire-builder,
empiric,
empiric risk,
empirical,
empirical formula,
empiricism,
empirin,
empirism,
emplace,
emplacement
British Dictionary definitions for empirical formula
empirical formula
noun
a chemical formula indicating the proportion of each element present in a molecule
C 6 H 12 O 6 is the molecular formula of sucrose whereas CH 2 O is its empirical formula Compare molecular formula, structural formula
a formula or expression obtained from experimental data rather than theory
Medical definitions for empirical formula
empirical formula
n.
A chemical formula that indicates the relative proportions of the elements in a molecule rather than the actual number of atoms of the elements.
Scientific definitions for empirical formula
empirical formula
A chemical formula that indicates the relative proportions of the elements in a molecule rather than the actual number of atoms of the elements. The empirical formula of a compound may be simpler than its molecular formula, which is a multiple of the empirical formula. For example, glucose has the molecular formula C6H12O6 but the empirical formula CH2O. Compare molecular formula structural formula.