Molecules vs Formula Units

[maliamichelsen_3a]

Can anyone explain to me what the difference is between molecules and formula units, if any? I have noticed in the book that it will sometimes ask for the formula units of a compound or element and I don't necessarily know what they are! Any help would be greatly appreciated :)

[Alex Dayrit 3B]

From what I remember, molecules are the molecular formula and the formula units are empirical formula (the base amount of each element necessary to produce a molecule).

[Lawrence Javelo Disc 3B]

Hi,

Molecules are covalently bonded atoms and Formula Units refer to only ionic compounds. When you are asked to find the empirical formula of a compound, but it is an ionic compound, you will likely be asked it's formula units instead of the amount of each atom in the molecule.

Hope this helps!

[Tyler_Kim_2G]

I agree with what people have said earlier. I think it is also important to note that when using Avogadro's number to make conversions, atoms, molecules, and formula units are basically treated in a similar fashion.

[Parinita Jithendra 2A]

I agree with the others, I was initially confused before as well as the textbook did not specify that it was either one and not both. But yep molecules would be for covalently bonded and formula units for ionic bonds. However, I don't think we need to know exactly which one we are finding yet, as we are just starting to work on chemical bonds.

[Harbaksh Kaur 3E]

Molecules would be for covalent bonds and formula units would be for ionic bonds!

[Jieun 2C]

Molecules are covalently bonded atoms while formula units are the empirical formula for ionic compounds.

[Madison Yee 2B]

In terms of Avogadro's number, 6.022 * 10^23 can refer to atoms, molecules, or formula units. Molecules refer to covalently bonded compounds whereas formula units refer to ionic compounds.

[Ella Bogomilsky 2B]

Molecules refer to atoms with covalent bonds in between them, and formula units are atoms that have ionic bonds.

[Brianna Mercado 3D]

Hi! molecules=molecular formula and the formula units=empirical formula

[Maia Holmes Kueny 1C]

Molecules have covalent bonds and formula units have ionic bonds.