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formula unit
noun
- (of an ionic compound that does not form molecules, as most salts) the chemical formula with the least number of elements out of the set of empirical formulas having the same proportion of ions as elements:
NaCl is the formula unit for the ionic compound sodium chloride.
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How does formula unit compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Example Sentences
The group has hired Morgan Stanley to conduct a strategic review of its infant formula unit Mead Johnson in Greater China, the sources said, declining to comment as the information is confidential.
The French maker of Activia yogurt and Aptamil baby milk said last week it was calling time on efforts to revive its flagship infant formula unit and would instead buy a larger stake in state-linked milk producer China Mengniu Dairy Co.
The maker of Activia yogurt and Evian water said it was selling its Dumex baby formula unit to Yashili International Holdings Ltd 1230 3.52 % and would in return take a larger stake in Chinese dairy giant China Mengniu Dairy Co.
Nestle, which was named in the pricing probe but escaped a fine, saw the smallest spike in online chatter about its Wyeth infant formula unit, which flattened in July and August.
Mengniu, which produces milk, ice-cream and yogurt, had been in talks with UBS AG about a potential bid for Pfizer's Wyeth baby formula unit, which the pharmaceutical company said in July it would sell or spin off to shareholders, the FT reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
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More About Formula Unit
What is a formula unit?
A formula unit is the chemical formula of an ionic compound that lists the ions in the lowest ratio that equals a neutral electrical charge.
In chemistry, we use chemical formulas to describe the elements or molecules that make up a substance. For example, two hydrogen atoms bond with one oxygen atom to form a molecule of water, giving it a chemical formula of water is H2O. We refer to this formula as a molecular formula because water is made of many H2O molecules.
However, ionic compounds aren’t made of distinct molecules with specific properties. Instead they form complex structures of humongous numbers of charged ions that are attracted to each other. For this reason, we instead use a formula that describes the ratio of ions in the compound that would have an equal balance of positive and negative charges. This formula is called the formula unit.
For example, lithium nitride is made of lithium ions and nitride ions. Lithium ions have a +1 charge and nitride ions have a -3 charge. In order for these charges to become neutral, we need 3 lithium ions for every 1 nitride ion because (1 x 3) + (-3) = 0. Therefore, the formula unit of lithium nitride is Li3N.
Why is formula unit important?
The first records of the term formula unit come from around 1869. It is used to specifically describe the composition of ionic compounds.
While molecular formulas and formula units both tell us what specific compound we are dealing with, there is a key difference. A molecular formula, like that for water, tells you exactly how many atoms the molecule is made up of. The formula unit tells you what ions make up the compound rather than atoms or molecules.
Did you know … ?
It is possible for the ratio in the formula unit to be 1:1. Table salt, for example, has a formula unit of NaCl because the charge of a sodium ion (Na) is +1 and the charge of a chloride ion (Cl) is -1.
What are real-life examples of formula unit?
Chemistry students will often learn what a formula unit is when they are introduced to ionic compounds.
The back of my head is about to cave in with all this ionic compound molecular formula unit molar mass stuff flowing around.
— endea (@_maryjaneplain) October 24, 2012
We have our first ionic compound entry from Caleb. No molecular geometry here, but a nice representation of the formula unit for Calcium Chloride. pic.twitter.com/eUTWyax29w
— Bridget B. Adkins (@BridgetBAdkins) January 16, 2018
What other words are related to formula unit?
Quiz yourself!
True or False?
A formula unit lists the ions in the lowest ratio that equals a neutral electrical charge.
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