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What is the formula for the compound made from mercury (II) and the nitrate ion.

User Orvyl
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1 Answer

1 vote

Answer:

Hg(NO3)2

Step-by-step explanation:

Hg occurs both as Hg(I) and Hg(II) but nitrate is -1, not -2 We NORMALLY use the smallest set of subscripts but in the case of Hg(I) compounds, most of them are dimeric. Hg2Cl2, Hg2(NO3)2, etc. Note that there also is a mercury(II) nitrate; i.e., Hg(NO3)2. Therefore, although the empirical formula for mercury(I) nitrate is HgNO3, the molecular formula is Hg2(NO3)2 anf I was always encouraged to write the molecular formula instead of the empirical formula.

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User Ronak Shetiya
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