How can we determine the formula for different molecular compounds

The first is the empirical formula which shows you the number of different atoms in the compound. After you convert the grams of each element into moles, you calculate the ratio of the moles, which gives you the ratio of the elements in the compound. More number-crunching gives you the molecular formula.

since the atomic number is the number of protons in the nucleus, as we move to the left on the periodic table, the electrostatic pull between the nucleus and the valence electron shell decreases. as we move down a group (vertical column), the valence shell energy level gets further and further from the nucleus.