Skeletal formulas are simplified representations of organic molecules that focus on the arrangement of atoms and bonds. In these diagrams, carbon atoms are typically represented as the ends and intersections of lines, while hydrogen atoms are usually omitted for clarity. Each line represents a bond between atoms, making it easier to visualize the structure of complex molecules. These formulas are particularly useful in chemistry for illustrating the connectivity of atoms without cluttering the diagram with every atom explicitly shown. They help chemists quickly understand the molecular structure of compounds like alkanes, alcohols, and carboxylic acids.