A chemical formula is a symbolic representation of a compound that indicates the types and numbers of atoms present. It typically consists of the chemical symbols of the elements involved, followed by subscript numbers that denote the quantity of each atom. For example, the chemical formula for water is H₂O, indicating two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. Chemical formulas are essential in chemistry for understanding composition, structure, and the stoichiometry of reactions. They provide a concise way to convey complex chemical information.