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Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the correct chemical formula for sodium sulfate?
A
Na2SO3
B
NaSO3
C
Na2SO4
D
NaSO4
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the ions involved in sodium sulfate. Sodium (Na) typically forms a +1 charge ion (Na\^+), and sulfate is a polyatomic ion with the formula SO\_4\^{2-}.
Determine the charge on each ion: Na\^+ has a +1 charge, and SO\_4\^{2-} has a -2 charge.
Balance the total positive and negative charges to make the compound electrically neutral. Since sulfate has a -2 charge, you need two Na\^+ ions to balance it out (+2 total).
Write the chemical formula by combining the ions with the correct subscripts to reflect the charge balance: two sodium ions and one sulfate ion gives Na\_2SO\_4.
Verify that the formula Na\_2SO\_4 is neutral by checking that the total positive charge (+2 from two Na\^+) equals the total negative charge (-2 from one SO\_4\^{2-}).