Question

Which answer choice lists the number and type of elements in a compound in the way that is close to their actual arrangement?

chemical formula
structural formula
space-filling model
ball-and-stick model

Answer 1

the answer is b. structural formula

Answer 2

Answer: Option (b) is the correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

A structural formula is defined as the formula that shows symbols of atoms present in the formula along with the bonds present between them.

For example, structural formula of ethene is
`H_(2)C=CH_(2)`.

This structural formula shows that there exists a double bond between the two carbon atoms which the hydrogen atoms are attached to each carbon atom via single bond.

Whereas a chemical formula only represents the number of atoms present in a compound. But it does not tell about the arrangement of atoms.

For example, chemical formula of sulfuric acid is
`H_(2)SO_(4)` and this does not show how atoms are exactly arranged.

On the other hand, both space-filling model and ball-and-stick model tells us about how exactly atoms are arranged to each other. This is because both these models provide actual arrangement in a 3-dimensional structure of a compound or molecule.

Hence, with the help of space-filling model and ball-and-stick model it becomes easier to visualize the structure of a compound.

Thus, we can conclude that out of the given options structural formula provides the number and type of elements in a compound in the way that is close to their actual arrangement.