Q. 6.51 - An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Question

Write the formula for each of the following molecular compounds:

a. carbon tetrachloride

b. carbon monoxide

c. phosphorus trifluoride 

d. dinitrogen tetroxide

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

(a) The formula of the compound is $CC{l}_4$

(b) The formula of the compound is $CO$

(c) The formula of the compound is $P{F}_3$

(d) The formula of the compound is $N_2{O}_4$

Part (a) Step 1: Given information

We need to find out the chemical formula of the given compound i.e. carbon tetrachloride

Part (a) Step 2: Explanation

We know that,

The symbol of carbon is, $C$

And the symbol of chloride is, $Cl$

And the prefix of chloride is tetra which means there are four chlorine atom

So, the subscript of carbon is one that has no means to write and the subscript of chlorine is four

Therefore, according to the name of the given compounds, 

The formula is, $CC{l}_4$

Part (b) Step 1: Given information

We need to find out the chemical formula of the given compound i.e. carbon monoxide

Part (b) Step 2: Explanation

We know that,

The symbol of carbon is, $C$

And the symbol of oxide is, $\mathrm{O}$

And as the prefix of oxide is mono which means there is one oxygen atom

So, the subscript of carbon and oxygen both is one that has no means to write 

Therefore, according to the name of the given compounds, 

The formula is, $CO$

Part (c) Step 1: Given information

We need to find out the chemical formula of the given compound i.e. phosphorus trifluoride

Part (c) Step 2: Explanation

We know that,

The symbol of phosphorus is, $P$

And the symbol of fluoride is, $F$

And the prefix of fluoride is tri which means there are three fluorine atom

So, the subscript of phosphorus is one that has no means to write and the subscript of fluoride is three

Therefore, according to the name of the given compounds, 

The formula is, $P{F}_3$

Part (d) Step 1: Given information

We need to find out the chemical formula of the given compound i.e. dinitrogen tetroxide

Part (d) Step 2: Explanation

We know that,

The symbol of nitrogen is, $N$

And the symbol of oxide is, $O$

And the prefix of oxide is tetra which means there are four oxygen atoms and that of nitrogen is two which means there are two nitrogen atoms

So, the subscript of nitrogen is two and the subscript of oxygen is four

Therefore, according to the name of the given compounds, 

The formula is, $N_2{O}_4$