The molecular formula for a substance can never contain fewer atoms of each element than the empirical formula for the same substance.

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The empirical formula represents the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms in a compound, while the molecular formula represents the actual number of atoms in a molecule of the compound. The molecular formula must always contain at least as many atoms of each element as the empirical formula, and may contain more.

The Molecular Formula for a Substance Can Never Contain Fewer