Chapter 3, Problem 3.79AP

Summary Introduction

To determine:

The formula for the sodium metabisulfite which is used in processed food as a preservative and antioxidant.

Introduction:

There are two types of monoatomic ions that contain single atom. One is cation like ${\text{K}}^{\text{1+}}$ and the other is anion like ${\text{O}}^{\text{2}-}$. There are different processes for naming each cation as well as anion.

Cations from the main group metals are typically named using the element name followed by the word ion. Cation formed by metals in other groups and at the bottom of the main group can have more than one positive charge.

Anions from the main group metals are named using the root of element name followed by the ending –ide.