Question

Why do you need two ammonium ions and one sulfide ion for the formula for ammonium sulfide?

Answer 1

To form ammonium sulfide, two ammonium ions are needed to balance the 2- charge of one sulfide ion, resulting in the neutral formula (NH4)2S.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question pertains to why we need two ammonium ions and one sulfide ion to form the chemical formula for ammonium sulfide. The reason is the charge balance. The ammonium ion (NH4+) carries a 1+ charge, and the sulfide ion (S2-) carries a 2- charge. To neutralize the charges, two ammonium ions are required to balance out the double negative charge of a single sulfide ion. Hence, the formula for ammonium sulfide is (NH4)2S. This is a fundamental concept in ionic bonding where charge neutrality must be achieved.

Answer 2

Ammonium (NH4)+ gains one additional electron to form it's 1+ charge state. Sulfur, like oxygen, gains two electrons per atom to ionize to a 2- charge state.
To form an electrically stable ammonium sulfide, two ammonium ions combine with one sulfide ion. (NH4)2S