Chemistry: The Central Science (13th Edition)

Published by Prentice Hall
ISBN 10: 0321910419
ISBN 13: 978-0-32191-041-7

Chapter 2 - Atoms, Molecules, and Ions - Exercises - Page 77: 2.77f

Answer

$P_4S_6$

Work Step by Step

When looking at tetraphosphorus, first observe the prefix. Because the prefix is "tetra," there are 4 phosphorus atoms. Phosphorus has a chemical symbol of "P," so tetraphosphorus can be written as $P_4$. "Hexa" is the prefix meaning "6." As a result, hexasulfide means that there are 6 sulfers. Because sulfer has the chemical symbol "S," the chemical formula for hexasulfide is $S_6$. If we combine these two chemical formulas, we find that the chemical symbol for tetraphosphorus heaxasulfide is $P_4S_6$.
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