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Glite Dictionary
structural formula

structural formula

6.1
A drawing that shows how atoms are joined in a molecule
  • noun
  • /ˈstrʌk.tʃər.əl ˈfɔːr.mjʊ.lə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : fórmula estructural
  • In organic chemistry, interpreting a structural formula is essential for analyzing compounds.

Examples

  • First, we find the same structural formula: obligatory preposition and noun, with optional article and pre- or post-posed adjective.

    Academic text (1997)

  • The structural formula of glucose shows how the atoms are arranged in the molecule.

  • Chemistry students learn to draw the structural formula to understand molecular structures.

How Detailed

structural formula
  • Specialized
6.1
molecular formula
  • Specialized
1 4.1
empirical formula
  • Specialized
4.8

Surface Forms

structural formula singular
structural formulas plural

Morphology

structural + formula

The meaning is directly compositional: 'structural' (concerned with arrangement) combined with 'formula' (a symbolic representation) yields a formula that represents structure — i.e. the arrangement of atoms. This follows a transparent adjective+noun pattern found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer the intended meaning.

Etymology

The noun structural formula comes from drawing the structural parts of a molecule and the formula that shows them, like a simple map with atoms as letters and lines for bonds. That's why it means a chemical formula that shows 'how the atoms are connected' rather than just how many of each atom there are.