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empirical formula

noun

Definition of empirical formula

: 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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First Known Use of empirical formula

1837

in the meaning defined above

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Medical Dictionary

empirical formula

noun

medical Definition of empirical formula

: 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
— compare molecular formula

Learn More about empirical formula

  1. Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about empirical formula

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