Question

Sodium sulfate is used in laundry detergent. It is a compound that contains 2 atoms of

sodium, 1 atom of sulfur, and 4 atoms of oxygen. What is the correct chemical formula
for sodium sulfate?

Answer 1

Sodium sulfate, used in laundry detergents, has the chemical formula Na2SO4, which includes two sodium ions to balance the charge of one sulfate ion.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct chemical formula for sodium sulfate is Na2SO4. Sodium (Na) forms a 1+ cation, and the sulfate (SO4) polyatomic ion has a 2- charge. To maintain electrical neutrality, two sodium ions are required for every sulfate ion, resulting in the formula Na2SO4. It is used in laundry detergent because, as an ionic compound, it is soluble in water.