Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the correct chemical formula for the ionic compound formed between lithium (Li) and bromine (Br)?
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3. Chemical Reactions
Writing Ionic Compounds
Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the correct chemical formula for the ionic compound formed when iron reacts with chlorine?
A
Fe_3Cl_2
B
Fe_2Cl_3
C
FeCl_3
D
FeCl_2
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the charges on the ions formed by iron and chlorine. Chlorine typically forms a chloride ion with a charge of -1 (Cl\(\textsuperscript{-}\)). Iron can form multiple cations, commonly Fe\(\textsuperscript{2+}\) and Fe\(\textsuperscript{3+}\).
Determine the charge on the iron ion in the compound. Since the correct formula is FeCl\(\textsubscript{2}\), iron must be in the +2 oxidation state (Fe\(\textsuperscript{2+}\)) to balance the two chloride ions.
Write the formula by balancing the total positive and negative charges. For Fe\(\textsuperscript{2+}\) and Cl\(\textsuperscript{-}\), two chloride ions are needed to balance one iron ion, giving the formula FeCl\(\textsubscript{2}\).
Check the other options by comparing their subscripts and charges: Fe\(\textsubscript{3}\)Cl\(\textsubscript{2}\) and Fe\(\textsubscript{2}\)Cl\(\textsubscript{3}\) do not balance charges correctly for common iron oxidation states.
Conclude that FeCl\(\textsubscript{2}\) is the correct formula because it represents the ionic compound formed by Fe\(\textsuperscript{2+}\) and Cl\(\textsuperscript{-}\) ions in the simplest whole-number ratio.
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