What is the difference between a Molecular and Structural Formula?

Both molecules and structural formulas deal with atoms and molecules. The molecular formula of a compound indicates the actual number of atoms of each element present in a compound. The molecular formula is one of the simplest ways to explicit the writing of complex molecules. Structural formula show how atoms and molecules are built.

To be able to create a structural formula, it is important to know the symbol for each element in order to be able to sketch the formula; the structural formula shows where and how elements are placed. Structural formula explains how atoms are arranged and also how atoms are bonded to one another. In a structural formula, the bonding between atoms is shown with lines.

The molecular and structural formula of compounds represent atoms of different chemical components present in compounds, and the molecular formula provides the ratio between these elements. The structural formula provides the ratio between these elements. The structural formula offers the relative positions of these atoms.

The main difference is that the molecular formula and structural formula cannot show the relative positions of the atoms, whereas structural formula demonstrates the relative positions of atoms. The molecular formula or chemical formula of a compound is the depiction of the kinds of atoms and their ratios present in that compound. The molecular formula of a compound is the representation of the composition of atoms in the compound.

The differences between molecular and structural formulas are very easy to understand even if you don't have any prior knowledge of these two terms. First, molecules are formed when atoms combined with one another. At times, the molecules formed can consist of the same atom or different atoms.

A molecular formula is, therefore, showing the actual number of atoms that make up the molecule of a compound and how they exist. In a molecular formula, letters representing the symbols of certain elements are present. For example, C2H5OH is the molecular formula for ethanol.

From this molecular formula, we can see the various elements that makeup ethanol. A chemistry student should be able to write this without making any mistake because molecular formulas are very important when balancing chemical equations.

On the other hand, a structural formula refers to the arrangement of atoms that are present in the molecule of a compound. Structural formulas are needed to show how all the atoms in the molecule of compound bonds to one another and to show the nature of bonds that exist between them.

The differences between molecular and structural formulas are very easy to understand even if you don't have any prior knowledge of these two terms. First, molecules are formed when atoms combined with one another. At times, the molecules formed can consist of the same atom or different atoms. A molecular formula is, therefore, showing the actual number of atoms that make up the molecule of a compound and how they exist. In a molecular formula, letters representing the symbols of certain elements are present. For example, C2H5OH is the molecular formula for ethanol.

From this molecular formula, we can see the various elements that makeup ethanol. A chemistry student should be able to write this without making any mistake because molecular formulas are very important when balancing chemical equations. On the other hand, a structural formula refers to the arrangement of atoms that are present in the molecule of a compound. Structural formulas are needed to show how all the atoms in the molecule of compound bonds to one another and to show the nature of bonds that exist between them.