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What are the elements represented by C4, S, and O in the compound 6C4SO4?

User Jemell
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Final answer:

The compound 6C4SO4 is likely a typo since typical chemical formulas do not include numerical prefixes before element symbols. Such prefixes as 'tri-' and 'di-' in chemical nomenclature indicate the number of atoms, like in SO3 (sulfur trioxide) with three oxygen atoms and SO2 (sulfur dioxide) with two.

Step-by-step explanation:

The compound 6C4SO4 appears to be incorrectly written or a typographical error because compounds typically are not written with a numerical prefix directly before an element symbol without denoting a molecular entity such as a polyatomic ion. However, interpreting the formula based on chemical nomenclature of similar compounds, C4 could hypothetically represent a carbon chain or a compound with four carbon atoms, S represents sulfur, and O represents oxygen. The system of chemical nomenclature is essential to differentiate between compounds with different chemical and physical properties, such as SO3 and SO2. For instance, the correct molecular formula for the inorganic compound sulfur trioxide is SO3, which consists of one sulfur atom and three oxygen atoms. The compound sulfur dioxide has the molecular formula SO2, with one sulfur atom and two oxygen atoms. When naming compounds, we use prefixes like 'tri-' and 'di-' to indicate the number of atoms of each element present in the compound (e.g., sulfur trioxide).

Similar rules apply to organic compounds, although common organic formula representations usually begin with carbon (C) and hydrogen (H) when writing the formula. For example, the molecular formula for glucose, following these rules and based on its composition, is C6H12O6.

User Zorak
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