A Level Chemistry OCR Practice Exam

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What type of formula is typically used to show the composition of a compound?

A molecular formula
A structural formula
A chemical formula
A simplified formula

The correct answer is: A chemical formula

A chemical formula is typically used to show the composition of a compound because it provides a concise way to indicate the types and numbers of atoms present in a molecule. For example, the chemical formula for water is H₂O, which clearly shows that each molecule of water is composed of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. This type of formula conveys essential information about the elemental composition of the compound without providing details about their arrangement or the bonds between them. Molecular formulas and structural formulas also provide information about composition; however, they serve slightly different purposes. A molecular formula specifies the exact number of each type of atom in a molecule, but structural formulas depict how those atoms are bonded and arranged within the molecule. Simplified formulas often give a less detailed representation, focusing on empirical ratios rather than the specific counts or arrangements of atoms. Therefore, a chemical formula is the most straightforward choice for representing the composition of a compound.