empirical formula
noun
: a chemical formula showing the simplest ratio of elements in a compound rather than the total number of atoms in the molecule
CH2O is the empirical formula for glucose
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In 1973 Carl Sagan devised a more empirical formula for Kardashev’s scale that allowed for finer gradations.
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Lee Billings, Scientific American, 17 Apr. 2015
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Lee Billings, Scientific American, 17 Apr. 2015
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“Empirical formula.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/empirical%20formula. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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