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Write the formula for the four ionic compounds that can be made by combining the cations Mg²⁺ and Fe³⁺ with the anions PO₄³⁻ and NO³⁻. Name each compound formed.

User Wmarbut
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Final answer:

The four ionic compounds are magnesium phosphate (Mg₃(PO₄)₂), magnesium nitrate (Mg(NO₃)₂), iron(III) phosphate (FePO₄), and iron(III) nitrate (Fe(NO₃)₃), created by combining Mg²⁺ and Fe³⁺ with PO₄³⁺ and NO₃⁺, ensuring charge balance in each compound.

Step-by-step explanation:

The formulas for the four ionic compounds formed by combining the cations Mg²⁺ and Fe³⁺ with the anions PO₄³⁺ and NO₃⁺ are as follows:

  • Magnesium phosphate: Mg₃(PO₄)₂
  • Magnesium nitrate: Mg(NO₃)₂
  • Iron(III) phosphate: FePO₄
  • Iron(III) nitrate: Fe(NO₃)₃

The naming of each compound takes into account the charges of the ions to ensure electrical neutrality. For example, because PO₄³⁺ has a -3 charge, three Mg²⁺ ions are needed to balance the charge, resulting in Mg₃(PO₄)₂. Similarly, one Fe³⁺ ion balances with one PO₄³⁺ ion to form FePO₄.

When combining the cations Mg²⁺ and Fe³⁺ with the anions PO₄³⁻ and NO³⁻, we can form four ionic compounds:

Mg₃(PO₄)₂ - Magnesium phosphate

Mg(NO₃)₂ - Magnesium nitrate

FePO₄ - Iron(III) phosphate

Fe(NO₃)₃ - Iron(III) nitrate

The formula for each compound can be determined by finding the combination of charges that balances out to zero. For example, the magnesium ion (Mg²⁺) with the phosphate ion (PO₄³⁻) results in the compound Mg₃(PO₄)₂.

User RGilkes
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