Final answer:
A molecule of ammonium sulfate consists of two NH4+ ions and one SO4^2- ion to balance the charges, resulting in the chemical formula (NH4)2SO4.
Step-by-step explanation:
The compound ammonium sulfate consists of the polyatomic ions NH4+ (ammonium) and SO42- (sulfate). In order to balance the charges between these ions, two ammonium ions are needed for every sulfate ion. Therefore, a molecule of ammonium sulfate consists of two NH4+ ions and one SO42- ion, which can be represented by the chemical formula (NH4)2SO4. In this compound, the ions are held together through ionic bonds, and the formula indicates that for the compound to be electrically neutral, two ammonium ions must counterbalance the charge of one sulfate ion.
The compound of ammonium sulfate consists of two ions: NH4+ and SO42-. To balance the charges on these ions, we need two ammonium ions for every sulfide ion. Therefore, a molecule of ammonium sulfate consists of two NH4+ ions and one SO42- ion.