empirical formula

noun

A notation indicating the ratios of the various elements present in a compound, without regard to the actual numbers.

“The molecular formula for ethane is C₂H₆, while the empirical formula is CH₃.”

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Meanings

nounempirical formula (plural empirical formulas or empirical formulae)

plural empirical formulas · plural empirical formulae

  1. chemistryA notation indicating the ratios of the various elements present in a compound, without regard to the actual numbers.

    The molecular formula for ethane is C₂H₆, while the empirical formula is CH₃.

Translations

Chinese Mandarin 實驗式 /实验式, 最簡式 /最简式
  • 實驗式 /实验式 (shíyànshì)a notation indicating the ratios of the various elements present in a compound
  • 最簡式 /最简式 (zuìjiǎnshì)a notation indicating the ratios of the various elements present in a compound
Czech empirický vzorec
  • empirický vzoreca notation indicating the ratios of the various elements present in a compound
Danish empirisk formel
  • empirisk formela notation indicating the ratios of the various elements present in a compound
Finnish suhdekaava
  • suhdekaavaa notation indicating the ratios of the various elements present in a compound
German Verhältnisformel
  • Verhältnisformela notation indicating the ratios of the various elements present in a compound
Hungarian tapasztalati képlet
  • tapasztalati képleta notation indicating the ratios of the various elements present in a compound
Japanese 実験式
  • 実験式 (jikkenshiki)a notation indicating the ratios of the various elements present in a compound
Korean 실험식
  • 실험식 (silheomsik)a notation indicating the ratios of the various elements present in a compound
Romanian formulă empirică
  • formulă empiricăa notation indicating the ratios of the various elements present in a compound
Russian эмпирическая формула
  • эмпирическая формула (empiričeskaja formula)a notation indicating the ratios of the various elements present in a compound
Swedish empirisk formel
  • empirisk formela notation indicating the ratios of the various elements present in a compound
Tagalog masiring sanyo
  • masiring sanyoa notation indicating the ratios of the various elements present in a compound
Tamil செயலறிவு வாய்ப்பாடு
  • செயலறிவு வாய்ப்பாடு (ceyalaṟivu vāyppāṭu)a notation indicating the ratios of the various elements present in a compound
Cite this entry
APA

empirical formula. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/empirical%20formula

MLA

“empirical formula.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/empirical%20formula. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “empirical formula,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/empirical%20formula.

Source: empirical formula on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.