Final answer:
The correct formula for sodium carbonate is Na2CO3. Sodium carbonate contains one sodium cation (Na+) and one carbonate anion (CO3²-). Two sodium cations are needed to balance out the 2- charge of the carbonate anion, resulting in the formula Na2CO3.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct formula for sodium carbonate is Na2CO3.
Sodium carbonate contains one sodium cation (Na+) and one carbonate anion (CO3²-). Since the carbonate anion carries a 2- charge, two sodium cations are needed to balance out the charge. Therefore, the formula for sodium carbonate is Na2CO3.
A similar example is the formula of calcium carbonate, which is CaCO3. The carbonate anion balances the 2+ charge of the calcium cation, just like the carbonate anion balances the 2+ charge of two sodium cations in sodium carbonate.