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A formula unit is the simplest formula of an ionic compound and therefore you can think of it as the empirical formula of an ionic compound. But since salts are a repeating solid lattice of ions there is no "molecule" and therefore no "molecular formula" for salts. Examples of formula units: NaCl MgCl 2
A molecule is composed of two or more elements that are covalently bonded. A formula unit indicates the lowest whole number ratio of ions in an ionic compound. A molecule is composed of two or more elements that are covalently bonded. It is the smallest particle of a covalent substance that has all of the properties of that substance, and it is the smallest particle of that substance that can ...
Formula units are basically empirical formulas for ionic compounds, but in most questions just represent molecules (in their simplest, empirical form). For example, E.9 (b) asks for the number of formula units of magnesium sulfate heptahydrate in a 5.15 g sample of the compound.
I think that, when discussing calculations, the difference between atoms, molecules, and formula units is not important. In any problem that asks you to solve for a certain amount of any of these, you would multiply the number of moles by Avogadro's constant, 6.022 x 10^23. To break down the differences: An atom is a single unit, like an element.
Formula units are used to describe the simplest, whole number ratio of ions in an ionic compound. So, you're correct in calculating the number of moles and then using Avogadro's constant (6.022 x 10^23) to find the number of formula units, which also happens to be the number of molecules in a covalent compound.
Formula unit refers to the smallest group/ratio of atoms that establishes a compound. Does Na+ + Cl-, NaCl, better describe sodium chloride. In the solid form of this salt, in the crystal lattice what if the smallest unit in which you can describe the lattice?
Answer: A group of ions is called a formula unit. For example, KCl is a formula unit comprised of and . is a formula unit of ions 2 and . If given certain ions, you would be expected to know how to write the formula unit and vice versa.
The ratios are the same. The formula unit of an ionic compound refers to the lowest whole number ratio of ions in the compound, which is the same ratio as the crystal lattice. The formula unit is used because there is no discrete particle like a molecule, because of the crystal lattice. The diagram below shows how one sodium atom and one chloride atom form oppositely charged ions, forming a ...
A "formula unit" is in effect the "empirical formula", and it is particularly used to describe non-molecular species. 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 ...
I don't think there is a difference between formula units, but rather that formula units is a more broad way to refer to molecules. Often times, when using Avogadro's number, you could be calculating how many atoms are present in a sample, rather than molecules. I believe that molecules are simply a type of formula unit. Hope this helps!