In
chemistry, the empirical formula of a chemical is a simple expression of the relative number of each type of atom (
element) in it. An empirical formula makes no reference to
isomerism or structure. The term empirical refers to the process of
elemental analysis[?], an
analytical technique used to determine the relative percent composition of a pure chemical substance by element.
For example, hexane could have a chemical formula of CH3CH2CH2CH2CH2CH3, implying that it has a straight chain structure. However the empirical formula for the same molecule would be C6H14.