Now that we have a reference for many of the common polyatomic ions, let's look at how to write the chemical formulas for compounds that contain them. There are two main things to keep in mind:   If a compound contains more than one polyatomic ion of the same type, we need to place parentheses around the ion's formula beforeusing a subscript to indicate how many ions of that type are in the compound.   The overall charge for the ionic compound must be neutral, which means the sum of the charges from the cations and anions should add up to zero.We can use this rule to figure out the formula of an ionic compound when we know the charge on the anion and the cation. This rule can also be useful for deducing the charge of an ion when the chemical formula for the ionic compound is known.   Example: Write the chemical formula for calcium hydroxide (calcium and hydroxide). Calcium is an alkaline earth metal in Group 2 on the periodic table, so it forms ions with a 2+ charge. From our table above, we know that hydroxide has the formula OH-. Because calcium needs to lose two valence electrons to satisfy the Octet Rule, and hydroxide can only take one valence electron, we will need two hydroxide ions to exactly cancel the 2+ charge on the Ca2+ ion. When writing out the formula, we include parentheses around OH followed by a subscript of 2, to make it clear that there are two hydroxide ions for every Ca2+ cation. Thus, the chemical formula for the compound is Ca(OH)2.   Why are compounds composed of integer ratios of elements? Suport your answer with evidence from the text. In the text, it says, "________________." and then answer the question.

Chemistry
10th Edition
ISBN:9781305957404
Author:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Publisher:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Chapter1: Chemical Foundations
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1RQ: Define and explain the differences between the following terms. a. law and theory b. theory and...
icon
Related questions
Question
100%

Now that we have a reference for many of the common polyatomic ions, let's look at how to write the chemical formulas for compounds that contain them. There are two main things to keep in mind:

 

  1. If a compound contains more than one polyatomic ion of the same type, we need to place parentheses around the ion's formula beforeusing a subscript to indicate how many ions of that type are in the compound.

 

  1. The overall charge for the ionic compound must be neutral, which means the sum of the charges from the cations and anions should add up to zero.We can use this rule to figure out the formula of an ionic compound when we know the charge on the anion and the cation. This rule can also be useful for deducing the charge of an ion when the chemical formula for the ionic compound is known.

 

Example: Write the chemical formula for calcium hydroxide (calcium and hydroxide).

Calcium is an alkaline earth metal in Group 2 on the periodic table, so it forms ions with a 2+ charge. From our table above, we know that hydroxide has the formula OH-. Because calcium needs to lose two valence electrons to satisfy the Octet Rule, and hydroxide can only take one valence electron, we will need two hydroxide ions to exactly cancel the 2+ charge on the Ca2+ ion. When writing out the formula, we include parentheses around OH followed by a subscript of 2, to make it clear that there are two hydroxide ions for every Ca2+ cation. Thus, the chemical formula for the compound is Ca(OH)2.

 

Why are compounds composed of integer ratios of elements? Suport your answer with evidence from the text. In the text, it says, "________________." and then answer the question.

Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 2 steps with 2 images

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Compounds
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, chemistry and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
  • SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781305957404
Author:
Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781259911156
Author:
Raymond Chang Dr., Jason Overby Professor
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Education
Principles of Instrumental Analysis
Principles of Instrumental Analysis
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781305577213
Author:
Douglas A. Skoog, F. James Holler, Stanley R. Crouch
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Organic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Chemistry
ISBN:
9780078021558
Author:
Janice Gorzynski Smith Dr.
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Education
Chemistry: Principles and Reactions
Chemistry: Principles and Reactions
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781305079373
Author:
William L. Masterton, Cecile N. Hurley
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Elementary Principles of Chemical Processes, Bind…
Elementary Principles of Chemical Processes, Bind…
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781118431221
Author:
Richard M. Felder, Ronald W. Rousseau, Lisa G. Bullard
Publisher:
WILEY