Answer:
Explanation:
The atomic or molecular formula represents each kind of atom by its chemical symbol and the number of each kind of atom by a subscript, but it does not show how they are connected. Thus, many different compounds have the same atomic or molecular formula.
The skeletal formula is a kind of abbreviated molecular formula in which the carbon and hydrogen atoms are not indicated but are understood. The skeletal formula shows the chain, the double and triple bonds, and the atoms different to carbon and hydrogen. Each vertex on the chain represents on carbon atom, and the hydrogen atoms (not shown) are the needed to complete the four valence electrons of each carbon atom.
The structural formula shows each atom, using the chemical symbol, and how they are connected in the compound, i.e. the bonds, using short lines.
For instance, the structural formula for the simplest organic compound, methane, CH₄, is:
H
|
H - C - H
|
H
