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A zigzag of lines whose vertices are carbon atoms, with hydrogens left undrawn.
Also known as: Line-angle formula, Zigzag chemistry drawing, Stick structure
In a skeletal formula every unlabelled vertex is a carbon and every carbon's hydrogens are implied. The convention works by leaving out the two commonest atoms, which is why the drawings look so unlike molecules.
Represents a molecule as lines whose ends and vertices are carbon atoms unless labelled otherwise.
Contexts: Laboratory
Omits hydrogen atoms bonded to carbon entirely, leaving the reader to infer them from carbon's valence — which is what makes the notation compact and what makes it opaque to a beginner.
Contexts: Laboratory
Draws bonds at consistent angles so that chain length can be counted by eye, which is why the zigzag is a convention rather than a stylistic choice.
Contexts: Laboratory
A connected series of straight line segments meeting at consistent angles to form a zigzag or ring, with letters written only where an atom is not carbon.
The benzene ring is drawn within these conventions.