What is meant by the term chemical formula?

Chemical formula

• The chemical formula of a compound is a symbolic representation of its composition.
• Ions, free radicals, and other chemical species can also be represented using chemical formulas.
• Chemical formulas provide insight into the elements that constitute the molecules of a compound and also the ratio in which the atoms of these elements combine to form such molecules.

Example

• The chemical formula for calcium (II) nitrate is$\mathrm{Ca}{\left({\mathrm{NO}}_3\right)}_2$.
• The chemical formula of carbon dioxide is${\mathrm{CO}}_2$.