What do chemical formulas indicate about a compound?

A chemical formula provides crucial information about a compound, specifically the elements that constitute the compound and the ratio of the atoms of these elements. For instance, in the formula H2O, it is clear that the compound is made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom, which illustrates the specific ratio of the elements involved.

This characteristic of chemical formulas is fundamental to understanding the composition of substances in chemistry. It helps chemists ascertain not only the types of elements present but also the number of each type of atom, which is important for predicting the compound's behavior in chemical reactions, its properties, and how it can be formed or decomposed.

In contrast, other choices focus on aspects that are not directly implied by a chemical formula. For example, a chemical formula does not suggest anything about the color of the compound, the total quantity of the compound, or the temperature at which it forms, as those properties require different forms of analysis or experimental data.