a chemical formula indicating the proportion of each element present in a molecule
C6H12O6 is the molecular formula of sucrose whereas CH2O is its empirical formula
Compare molecular formula, structural formula
2.
a formula or expression obtained from experimental data rather than theory
empirical formula in American English
a chemical formula which gives the composition of elements in a molecule in their lowest relative proportions but does not specify the structural arrangement or true molecular weight (Ex.: CH for benzene or acetylene)