Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the correct chemical formula for lithium hydroxide?
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3. Chemical Reactions
Naming Ionic Compounds
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Which of the following is the correct chemical formula for ammonium phosphate?
A
NH4PO4
B
NH4(PO4)2
C
(NH4)3PO4
D
(NH4)2PO4
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the ions involved: ammonium ion is $\mathrm{NH_4^+}$ and phosphate ion is $\mathrm{PO_4^{3-}}$.
Determine the charges on each ion: ammonium has a charge of +1, phosphate has a charge of -3.
Balance the total positive and negative charges to make a neutral compound. Since phosphate has a -3 charge, you need three ammonium ions (each +1) to balance it.
Write the formula by placing the ammonium ion in parentheses with a subscript 3 to indicate three ammonium ions, followed by the phosphate ion: $(\mathrm{NH_4})_3\mathrm{PO_4}$.
Confirm that the overall charge is zero by multiplying the charge of each ion by its subscript and adding them: $3 \times (+1) + 1 \times (-3) = 0$.
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