Chapter 9, Problem 99A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The complete molecular formula for sodium aluminum sulfate is to be stated.

Concept Introduction : Ionic compounds are formed by the transfer of electrons between metal and non-metal. They are named as $\text{Name}\text{of}\text{metal}+\text{Stem}\text{of}\text{non-metal}+\text{'}ide\text{'}$

Answer to Problem 99A

The complete molecular formula for sodium aluminum sulfate is $\text{NaAl}{\left({\text{SO}}_{\text{4}}\right)}_2$ .

Explanation of Solution

It is given that sodium aluminum sulfate is an active ingredient in baking powder. It contains two sulfate ions $\left({\text{SO}}_{\text{4}}{}^{2-}\right)$ . It contains sodium ion $\left({\text{Na}}^{+}\right)$ and aluminum ion $\left({\text{Al}}^{3+}\right)$ . The total positive charge is +4 and it is balanced by two sulfate ions.

Thus, the complete molecular formula for sodium aluminum sulfate is $\text{NaAl}{\left({\text{SO}}_{\text{4}}\right)}_2$ .