Multiple Choice
Which of the following diagrams correctly represents the ionic compound magnesium oxide?
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3. Chemical Reactions
Naming Ionic Compounds
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Which of the following is the correct chemical formula for the ionic compound sodium fluoride?
A
Na_2F_2
B
Na_2F
C
NaF
D
NaF_2
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the ions involved: sodium (Na) forms a cation with a charge of +1, written as Na\u207a, and fluoride (F) forms an anion with a charge of -1, written as F\u207b.
Determine the ratio of ions needed to balance the charges so that the overall compound is electrically neutral. Since Na\u207a has a +1 charge and F\u207b has a -1 charge, one Na\u207a ion will balance one F\u207b ion.
Write the chemical formula by combining the ions in the ratio that balances the charges. Because the charges are equal and opposite, the formula is simply NaF, with no subscripts needed to indicate multiples.
Check the other options: Na\u2082F\u2082 implies two sodium and two fluoride ions, which reduces to NaF but is not the simplest formula; Na\u2082F and NaF\u2082 imply unbalanced charges and are incorrect.
Conclude that the correct chemical formula for sodium fluoride is NaF, representing a 1:1 ratio of sodium ions to fluoride ions.
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