Question

A metal sulphate has the formula MSO4. A chloride of the same metal will have the formula: M subscript 2 C l subscript 3 M subscript 2 C l M C l subscript 2 MCl

Answer 1

Explanation:

A metal sulphate has the formula MSO_4

4

. Sulphate ion (SO_4^{2-}

4

2−

) has -2−2 charge. Hence, metal ion has +2+2 charge

M^{2+}+M

2+

+ SO_4^{2-} = MSO_4

4

2−

=MSO

4

Chloride ion (Cl^-Cl

−

) has -1−1 charge. To maintain electrical neutrality, one metal ion will combine with two chloride ions. A chloride of the same metal will have the formula MCl_2MCl

2

.

Answer 2

To write the formula of a binary molecular compound, first use the prefixes in the name to tell you the subscript of each element in the formula. Then, write the correct symbols for the two elements with the appropriate subscripts.