Question

If barium was to react with oxygen to form ionic compounds, how many oxygen atoms would be needed? Explain.

a. 1 oxygen atom
b. 2 oxygen atoms
c. 3 oxygen atoms
d. 4 oxygen atoms

Answer 1

When barium reacts with oxygen to form an ionic compound, two oxygen atoms are needed.

Step-by-step explanation:

When barium reacts with oxygen to form an ionic compound, each barium ion (Ba2+) combines with two oxygen ions (O2-) to form barium oxide (BaO). Therefore, two oxygen atoms are needed for each barium ion, resulting in a total of 2 oxygen atoms.