Chemistry: Principles and Practice (3rd Edition)

Published by Cengage Learning
ISBN 10: 0534420125
ISBN 13: 978-0-53442-012-3

Chapter 2 - Atoms, Molecules, and Ions - Questions and Exercises - Exercises - Page 86: 2.87

Answer

(a) Mg(NO$_2$)$_2$ (b) Li$_3$PO$_4$ (c) Ba(CN)$_2$ (d) (NH$_4$)$_2$SO$_4$

Work Step by Step

(a) Mg(NO$_2$)$_2$ Magnesium (Mg) is an alkaline earth metal and has a valence of 2+. We refer to the table of polyatomic anions (Table 2.2) on page 65 of the book to find the formula and charge for nitrite (NO$_2$$^-$). We will need one magnesium ion for every two nitrite ions to balance the charges in this compound. (b) Li$_3$PO$_4$ Lithium (Li) is an alkali metal and has a valence of 1+. We refer to the table of polyatomic anions (Table 2.2) on page 65 of the book to find the formula and charge for phosphate (PO$_4$$^{3-}$). We will need three lithium ions for every one phosphate ion to balance the charges in this compound. (c) Ba(CN)$_2$ Barium (Ba) is an alkaline earth metal and has a valence of 2+. We refer to the table of polyatomic anions (Table 2.2) on page 65 of the book to find the formula and charge for cyanide (CN$^-$). We will need one barium ion for every two cyanide ions to balance the charges in this compound. (d) (NH$_4$)$_2$SO$_4$ The ammonium ion (NH$_4$$^+$) has a valence of 1+. We refer to the table of polyatomic anions (Table 2.2) on page 65 of the book to find the formula and charge for sulfate (SO$_4$$^{2-}$). We will need two ammonium ions for every one sulfate ion to balance the charges in this compound.
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