What is meant by the term chemical formula

Subject : Chemistry

Question: What is meant by the term chemical formula? Write the chemical formula of Calcium Oxide. Calculate its formula unit mass.​

Expert Verified Solution:

Chemical Formula

A chemical formula represents the composition of a chemical compound by using symbols for the elements involved and numerical subscripts to indicate the number of atoms of each element in the compound. It provides information about the types and ratios of atoms in the compound, reflecting its chemical composition.

Calcium Oxide

Chemical Formula: The chemical formula for calcium oxide is CaO.

Formula Unit Mass Calculation

To calculate the formula unit mass of calcium oxide (CaO), follow these steps:

Find the Atomic Masses:

Calcium (Ca) has an atomic mass of approximately 40.08 amu (atomic mass units).

Oxygen (O) has an atomic mass of approximately 16.00 amu.

Calculate the Formula Unit Mass:

For CaO, the formula unit mass is calculated as follows:

Formula Unit Mass = Atomic Mass of Ca + Atomic Mass of O

Formula Unit Mass = 40.08amu + 16.00amu

Formula Unit Mass = 56.08amu

Therefore, the formula unit mass of calcium oxide (CaO) is 56.08 amu.