Chapter 5, Problem 57E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The formulas for the compounds formed from the given elements that lies on the left and each polyatomic ion that lies on the right are to be written.

Concept introduction:

Metals lie in the left side of the periodic table. Non-metals lie in the right side of the periodic table.

The compounds comprises of positive ions (formed by metals) and negative ions (formed by nonmetals) are called ionic compounds.

Polyatomic ions are composed of a group of atoms having an overall charge.

Following steps to write the formula for the ionic compound

• Write the symbol and charge of metal follow by symbol and charge of nonmetal. Charges are determined from the group number in periodic table.

• Use magnitude of the charge on each ion as the subscript for other ion.

• Reduce subscripts to simpler whole number possible.

• Check that sum of the charges of positive ion exactly cancel the sum of the charges of the negative ions.