Interpretation:
The formulae for the ionic compounds need to be determined.
Concept introduction:
Some ionic species are composed of more than one atom. These are called polyatomic ions. The entire cluster of atoms shares the charge on a polyatomic ion. Each polyatomic ion has a charge that is used when writing formulae of the compound.
Answer to Problem 4E
The following table shows formulae of polyatomic ionic compounds.
Name of compounds | Formulae |
a. Lithium sulfate | Li2SO4 |
b. Potassiumhydroxide | KOH |
c. Magnesium nitrate | Mg(NO3)2 |
d. Ammonium sulfate | (NH4)2SO4 |
Explanation of Solution
Given information:
Names of some ionic compounds are given.
Name of compounds |
a. Lithium sulfate |
b. Potassium hydroxide |
c. Magnesium nitrate |
d. Ammonium sulfate |
To determine the chemical formulas of ionic compounds, rule of zero charge is used. Polyatomic ions do not always combine in 1:1 ratio. When there is more than one of the same polyatomic ion in a formula, the ion is enclosed in parenthesis and a subscript number is written indicating the number of ions in the compound.
- Lithium sulfate - The polyatomic ion here is sulfate (SO42-). Lithium has + 1 charge so 2 lithium atoms will combine with 1 sulfate ion. Hence, sum of charges becomes zero. The formula for this compound is Li2SO4.
- Potassium hydroxide - The polyatomic ion here is hydroxide (OH-). Potassium has + 1 charge so 1potassium atom will combine with 1 hydroxide ion. Hence, sum of charges becomes zero. The formula for this compound isKOH.
- Magnesium nitrate - The polyatomic ion here is nitrate(NO3-). Magnesium has 2 + charge so 1 magnesium atom will combine with 2 nitrate ions. Hence, sum of charges becomes zero. The formula for this compound isMg(NO3)2.
- Ammonium sulfate -The polyatomic ions here areammonium (NH4) + and sulfate (SO42-). 2 ammonium ions will combine with 1 sulfate ion. Hence, sum of charges becomes zero. The formula for this compound is(NH4)2SO4.
Ionic compounds with polyatomic ions follow certain rules while writing chemical formulas. Polyatomic ions are a group of atoms bonded together.
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