What is a formula unit? [ENDORSED]

[Audrey Banzali-Marks 1A]

I came across this term in Fundamentals E, and I just wanted to verify that my understanding of the term is correct. Is a formula unit the number of empirical-formula "simplified" molecules that are in one molecule of a substance? For example, if you have one unit of C6H12O6, you actually have 6 formula units of CH2O? Thank you!

[Jessy Ji 2J]

Hi, I believe formula unit means pretty much the same thing as empirical formula, except formula unit usually refers to non-molecular compounds and empirical formula usually refers to molecular compounds. Let me know if that makes sense.

[Audrey Banzali-Marks 1A]

Thank you! That does make more sense.

[Mark_Botros_1D]

Also, I believe it was mentioned that the molar mass of an element is the mass per mole of its atoms, the molar mass of a molecular compound is the mass per mole of its molecules, and the molar mass of an ionic compound is the molar mass of its formula units. Formula units are the most basic form of an ionic compound.

[Mark_Botros_1D]

However, I infer that a formula unit can be thought of as the empirical formula for ionic compounds as it is the most basic unit of an ionic compound.

[emily3L]

A formula unit is the most simple unit, similar to an empirical formula for molecular compounds.

[Sidharth Paparaju 3B]

I believe formula units are like the "amount of molecules" or atoms or ionic-compound units, etc... so like 1 mol is 6.0221*10^23 formula units.