You should then calculate the empirical formula weight. Start by finding the empirical formula. The formula weight of a substance is the sum of the atomic weights of each atom in its chemical formula.
The molecule has 3 calcium Ca atoms 2 phosphate P atoms and 8 oxygen O.
This quantity is called the formula mass. The formula mass for an ionic compound is calculated in the same way as the formula mass for covalent compounds. By summing the average atomic masses of all the atoms in the compounds formula. To determine the formula mass of an ionic or molecular compound.