<p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argentobaumhauerite" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Argentobaumhauerite's Wikipedia page</a> lists its chemical formula as <span class="math-container">$\require{mhchem}\ce{Ag_{1.5}Pb_{22}As_{33.5}S_{72}}$</span>. Is there a reason this chemical formula is not represented as whole-number ratios of each element?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-12-23T13:03:04.983Z
Well, $\require{mhchem}$ $\ce{Fe_{0.93}O}$ is not written as $\ce{Fe93O100}$ either.
Poutnik
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-01-16T04:05:27.653Z
See these Chemistry SE questions: ["How can there be decimal subscripts in a molecular formula?"](https://chemistry.stackexchange.com/q/62979/127719),
["What is the meaning of a decimal in a subscript in a chemical formulas?"](https://chemistry.stackexchange.com/q/64260/127719).
David Bailey
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-01-17T16:46:45.763Z
Thanks @DavidBailey, can I infer then that Argentobaumhauerite's elements are non-covalently bonded? Knowing this, can I interpret a different structure?
imrobert
<mineralogy>
Why does Argentobaumhauerite have decimals in its chemical formula?
imrobert
# Why does Argentobaumhauerite have decimals in its chemical formula?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2023-12-22)

[Argentobaumhauerite's Wikipedia page](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argentobaumhauerite) lists its chemical formula as $\require{mhchem}\ce{Ag\_{1.5}Pb\_{22}As\_{33.5}S\_{72}}$. Is there a reason this chemical formula is not represented as whole-number ratios of each element?

**Tags:** mineralogy

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Well, $\require{mhchem}$ $\ce{Fe_{0.93}O}$ is not written as $\ce{Fe93O100}$ either.  
> **username_2**: See these Chemistry SE questions: ["How can there be decimal subscripts in a molecular formula?"](https://chemistry.stackexchange.com/q/62979/127719), ["What is the meaning of a decimal in a subscript in a chemical formulas?"](https://chemistry.stackexchange.com/q/64260/127719).  
> **username_0**: Thanks @username_2, can I infer then that Argentobaumhauerite's elements are non-covalently bonded? Knowing this, can I interpret a different structure?  

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## 0 answers

