What does the empirical formula represent?

The empirical formula represents the simplest whole-number ratio of elements in a compound. This means that it provides the most reduced form of the ratio of the different types of atoms present, without indicating the actual number of atoms or the structure of the compound. For instance, in the case of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), the empirical formula would be HO, as it indicates that there is a 1:1 ratio of hydrogen to oxygen, ignoring the fact that there are actually two hydrogen and two oxygen atoms present.

Other attributes associated with compounds, such as the total number of atoms, molecular weight, or the specific structural arrangement, are represented by different methods or formulas. The empirical formula does not convey these aspects; rather, it focuses solely on the basic proportions of the elements involved.