interpreting a chemical formula

• Chemical formula

  Tells us the elements in a molecule and the numbers of atoms of each element
• In a specific compound, the number of atoms of each element is fixed and cannot be changed</b>
• Interpreting a chemical formula

  1. Identify the elements

  2. Determine the number of atoms of each element
• Brackets in a chemical formula indicate that the numbers inside the brackets are multiplied by the number to the right of the brackets