Problem 65 - Chemistry: The Central Science

Question

Give the chemical formula for (a) hydrocyanic acid, (b) nickel tetracarbonyl, (c) barium bicarbonate, (d) calcium acetylide, (e) potassium carbonate.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The chemical formulas for the given compounds are: (a) hydrocyanic acid: \(HCN\), (b) nickel tetracarbonyl: \(Ni(CO)_4\), (c) barium bicarbonate: \(Ba(HCO_3)_2\), (d) calcium acetylide: \(CaC_2\), and (e) potassium carbonate: \(K_2CO_3\).

Step 1: 1. Identifying elements and their charges

Hydrocyanic acid is composed of hydrogen (H) with a charge of +1 and cyanide ion (CN) with a charge of -1.

Step 2: 2. Combining elements

Since hydrogen has a charge of +1 and cyanide ion has a charge of -1, we can combine one hydrogen atom (H) with one cyanide ion (CN) to achieve a net charge of zero. Therefore, the chemical formula for hydrocyanic acid is \(HCN\). (b) Nickel tetracarbonyl

Step 3: 1. Identifying elements and their charges

Nickel tetracarbonyl is composed of nickel (Ni) with a charge of +2 and four carbonyl groups (CO), each with a charge of -1.

Step 4: 2. Combining elements

Since nickel has a charge of +2 and one carbonyl group has a charge of -1, we need to combine one nickel atom (Ni) with four carbonyl groups (CO) to achieve a net charge of zero. Therefore, the chemical formula for nickel tetracarbonyl is \(Ni(CO)_4\). (c) Barium bicarbonate

Step 5: 1. Identifying elements and their charges

Barium bicarbonate is composed of barium ion (Ba) with a charge of +2 and two bicarbonate ions (HCO3) each with a charge of -1.

Step 6: 2. Combining elements

Since barium has a charge of +2 and each bicarbonate ion has a charge of -1, we need to combine one barium ion (Ba) with two bicarbonate ions (HCO3) to achieve a net charge of zero. Therefore, the chemical formula for barium bicarbonate is \(Ba(HCO_3)_2\). (d) Calcium acetylide

Step 7: 1. Identifying elements and their charges

Calcium acetylide is composed of calcium ion (Ca) with a charge of +2 and acetylide ion (C2) with a charge of -2.

Step 8: 2. Combining elements

Since calcium has a charge of +2 and acetylide ion has a charge of -2, we can combine one calcium ion (Ca) with one acetylide ion (C2) to achieve a net charge of zero. Therefore, the chemical formula for calcium acetylide is \(CaC_2\). (e) Potassium carbonate

Step 9: 1. Identifying elements and their charges

Potassium carbonate is composed of potassium ions (K) each with a charge of +1 and a carbonate ion (CO3) with a charge of -2.

Step 10: 2. Combining elements

Since potassium ion has a charge of +1 and carbonate ion has a charge of -2, we need to combine two potassium ions (K) with one carbonate ion (CO3) to achieve a net charge of zero. Therefore, the chemical formula for potassium carbonate is \(K_2CO_3\).