Q. 4.6 - An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Question

Write the names for the elements in each of the following formulas of compounds used in medicine :

a. salt substitute, $\mathrm{KCl}$

b. dental cement, ${\mathrm{Zn}}_3{\left({\mathrm{PO}}_4\right)}_2$

c. antacid, $\mathrm{Mg}{\left(\mathrm{OH}\right)}_2$

d. contrast agent for X-ray, ${\mathrm{BaSO}}_4$

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

a. The elements in the compound are Potassium and Chlorine.

b. The elements in the compound are Zinc, Phosphorus and Oxygen.

c. The elements in the compound are Magnesium, Hydrogen and Oxygen.

d. The elements in the compound are Barium, Sulfur and Oxygen.

Part (a) Step 1 : Given information

We have to write down the names of the elements present in salt substitute compound.

Part (a) Step 2 : Simplification

We know that,

In $\mathrm{KCl}$ salt substitute , $\mathrm{K}$ is potassium and $\mathrm{Cl}$ is chlorine.

So the elements in salt substitute compound are Potassium and chlorine.

Part (b) Step 1 : Given information

We have to write down the names of the elements present in dental cement compound.

Part (b) Step 2 : Simplification

We know that,

In ${\mathrm{Zn}}_3{\left({\mathrm{PO}}_4\right)}_2$ dental cement, $\mathrm{Zn}$ is Zinc, $\mathrm{P}$ is phosphorus and $\mathrm{O}$ is Oxygen.

So the elements present in dental cement compound are Zinc , Phosphorus and Oxygen.

Part (c) Step 1 : Given information

We have to write down the names of the elements present in antacid compound.

Part (c) Step 2 : Simplification

We know that, 

In $\mathrm{Mg}{\left(\mathrm{OH}\right)}_2$ antacid, $\mathrm{Mg}$ is Magnesium, $\mathrm{O}$ is Oxygen and $\mathrm{H}$ is Hydrogen.

So the elements in antacid compound are Magnesium , Oxygen and Hydrogen.

Part (d) Step 1 : Given information

We have to write down the names of the elements present in contrast agent of X-ray compound.

Part (d) Step 2 : Simplification

We know that,

In ${\mathrm{BaSO}}_4$ contrast agent for X-ray , $\mathrm{Ba}$ is Barium, $\mathrm{S}$ is sulfur and $\mathrm{O}$ is Oxygen.

So the elements present in contrast agent of X-ray are Barium, sulfur and Oxygen.