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Which of these compounds has the correct chemical formula? 1. ba3po4 2. (nh4)2so4 3. mg2oh 4. lif2 5. caoh?

User Hari Menon
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2 Answers

3 votes

Final answer:

The compound with the correct chemical formula among the options provided is (NH4)2SO4.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct chemical formula among the options provided is (NH4)2SO4.

To determine the correct chemical formula, we need to understand the rules for writing chemical formulas:

The formula should be electrically neutral. This means that the sum of the charges of the cations (positive ions) should equal the sum of the charges of the anions (negative ions).

The subscripts should be the smallest possible whole numbers that maintain electrical neutrality.

Let's analyze each option:

ba3po4 contains the element 'ba' which is not a valid chemical symbol. Therefore, this compound does not have a correct chemical formula.

(nh4)2so4 contains the cation NH4+ and the anion SO42-. The formula is electrically neutral, and the subscripts are the smallest possible whole numbers (2:1 ratio). Therefore, this compound has the correct chemical formula.

mg2oh contains the cation Mg2+ and the anion OH-. However, the subscripts are not the smallest possible whole numbers (2:1 ratio). Therefore, this compound does not have a correct chemical formula.

lif2 contains the cation Li+ and the anion F-. Although the subscripts are the smallest possible whole numbers (1:2 ratio), the formula is not electrically neutral. Therefore, this compound does not have a correct chemical formula.

caoh contains the elements 'ca' and 'oh' which are not valid chemical symbols. Therefore, this compound does not have a correct chemical formula.


Therefore, the compound with the correct chemical formula among the options provided is (NH4)2SO4.

User Alex Doe
by
7.8k points
7 votes
Ba3PO4 is not neutral, it is positive. (NH4)2SO4 is neutral, the charges cancel.
Mg2OH is not neutral, it is positive. LiF2 is not neutral, it is negative. CaOH is not neutral, it is positive. The answer is (NH4)2SO4, correct ions will have a neutral charge.
User Alexbea
by
8.7k points

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