Q59E - Chemistry (OpenStax)

Question

The following compounds are found in common household products. Write the formulas for each compound:

a. Potassium Phosphate

b. Copper (II) sulfate

c. Calcium Chloride

d. Titanium (IV) Dioxide

e. Ammonium nitrate

f. Sodium bisulfate (the common name for sodium hydrogen sulfate)

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

a.  K₃PO₄

b.  CuSO₄

c.  CaCl₂

d.  TiO₂

e.  NH₄NO₃

f.  NaHSO₄

Step 1: Writing the formula of a chemical compound

While writing the formula of a chemical compound, the positive atom will come first and is subsequently led by the negative part of the compound.

Step 2: Determining the formula of potassium phosphate

Potassium is denoted by the symbol K⁺ and phosphate is symbolized by\(P{O_4}^{3 - }\).

The positive part is the metal (K) which will come first in the formula, and phosphate will come last. 

For satisfying three negative charges, three potassium ions will be required. 

So, the formula of potassium phosphate isK₃PO₄.

Step 3: Determining the formula of Copper (II) sulfate

Copper (II) is denoted by \(C{u^{2 + }}\)_, and sulfate is denoted by \(S{O_4}^{2 - }\)_.

So, the formula of copper (II) sulfate is CuSO_4.

Step 4: Determining the formula of Calcium chloride

Calcium is denoted by \(C{a^{2 + }}\)_, and chloride is denoted by \(C{l^ - }\)_.

For balancing two positive charges, two negative charges will be required.

Thus, the formula of calcium chloride is CaCl_2.

Step 5: Determining the formula of Titanium (IV) dioxide.

Titanium (IV) is denoted by \(T{i^{ + 4}}\)_, and oxide is denoted by \({O^{2 - }}\).

For balancing the charges, two ions of oxide are required.

The formula for titanium dioxide is TiO_2.

Step 6: Determining the chemical formula of ammonium nitrate

Ammonium is denoted by \(N{H_4}^ + \)_, and nitrate is denoted by \(N{O_3}^ - \)_.

The formula for ammonium nitrate is NH₄NO_3.

Step 7: Determining the chemical formula of Sodium bisulfate

Sodium is denoted by\(N{a^ + }\)_, and bisulfate or hydrogen sulfate is denoted by\(HS{O_4}^ - \)_.

The formula for sodium bisulfate is NaHSO_4.