What does an empirical formula indicate?

An empirical formula represents the simplest whole number ratio of the different atoms present in a compound. For instance, in the case of glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆), the empirical formula would be CH₂O because it simplifies the ratio of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms to the lowest integers. Empirical formulas do not provide information about the molecular structure or the actual number of atoms in each molecule; instead, they focus solely on the ratio of elements present in the compound.

In contrast, other concepts such as molecular formulas reflect the actual number of atoms in a molecule, which can vary from the empirical formula. Molecular structures illustrate the arrangement of atoms and bonds within a molecule, while the total number of molecules relates to the amount of substance present, measured in moles. Lastly, atomic mass refers to the mass of individual elements, which is not conveyed by an empirical formula. Thus, the correct understanding of an empirical formula is centered around it depicting the simplest ratio of atoms in a compound.