Problem 109 - Chemistry

Question

What is the systematic name of \(\mathrm{Ta}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{5}\) ? If the charge on the metal remained constant and then sulfur was substituted for oxygen, how would the formula change? What is the difference in the total number of protons between \(\mathrm{Ta}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{5}\) and its sulfur analog?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The systematic name of Ta₂O₅ is Tantalum(V) Oxide. When sulfur is substituted for oxygen, the formula changes to Ta₂S₅. The difference in the total number of protons between Ta₂O₅ and its sulfur analog, Ta₂S₅, is 40 protons.

Step 1: Identify the Systematic Name of Ta₂O₅

The given compound is Ta₂O₅, which consists of two Tantalum (Ta) atoms and five Oxygen (O) atoms. Tantalum is a transition metal and in this compound, it has a charge of 5+. Oxygen has a charge of 2-. Looking at the charges, we realize that the formula balances out with two Tantalum atoms and five Oxygen atoms (2 * 5+ = 10+ and 5 * 2- = 10-). So, the systematic name for this compound is Tantalum(V) Oxide.

Step 2: Substitute Sulfur for Oxygen

We are given that the charge on the metal (Tantalum) remains constant, which is 5+. In this new compound with sulfur, we need to know sulfur's charge. Sulfur, just like oxygen, can have a charge of 2-. To balance the charges in the formula, we will still require two Tantalum atoms (2 * 5+ = 10+). Since sulfur has a 2- charge (similar to oxygen), we would need five sulfur atoms to balance the charges (5 * 2- = 10-). So, the formula for the new compound would be Ta₂S₅.

Step 3: Calculate the Difference in the Total Number of Protons

To determine the difference in the total number of protons between Ta₂O₅ and Ta₂S₅, we first need to find the total number of protons in each compound. The atomic number of Tantalum, Ta, is 73, and the atomic number of Oxygen, O, is 8. In the Ta₂O₅ compound, there are (2 * 73) + (5 * 8) = 146 + 40 = 186 protons. The atomic number of Sulfur, S, is 16. In the Ta₂S₅ compound, there are (2 * 73) + (5 * 16) = 146 + 80 = 226 protons. Now, we will find the difference in the total number of protons between Ta₂O₅ and Ta₂S₅: 226 protons (Ta₂S₅) - 186 protons (Ta₂O₅) = 40 protons So, there is a difference of 40 protons between Ta₂O₅ and its sulfur analog, Ta₂S₅.