Question

Based upon the ion charge of the following polyatomic ions, predict the formula for the following compounds.

sulfate = SO42
phosphate = PO43
hydroxide OH-
sodium hydroxide
O Na(OH)2
O Na(OH)3
O Na₂OH
O NaOH

Answer 1

D.) NaOH

Step-by-step explanation:

Sodium always forms the cation, Na⁺.

Hydroxide is always written as OH⁻.

The compound should have an overall charge of 0 (be neutral). As you can see, the charges perfectly balance out (+1 + (-1) = 0). Therefore, there only needs to be one atom of each ion. The ionic compound is thus NaOH.