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  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 2004  > December  >
In the Classroom
Empirical Formulas and the Solid State: A Proposal
William B. Jensen
Department of Chemistry, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0172
Cover
December 2004
Vol. 81 No. 12
p. 1772
Abstract
This brief article calls attention to the failure of most introductory textbooks to point out explicitly the fact that nonmolecular solids do not have molecular formulas and suggests some practical remedies for improving textbook coverage of this subject. The inadequacies of the terms "empirical formula" and "molecular formula" are also discussed, and the terms "relative compositional formula" and "absolute compositional formula" are proposed as more appropriate alternatives.
More Information
*  Citation
 Jensen, William B. J. Chem. Educ. 2004 81 1772.
*  Keywords
 General Chemistry; Solid-State Chemistry; Solids; Stoichiometry; Textbooks
*  History
 Created:
Last Updated:		 November 1, 2004
November 9, 2004
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