Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes an ionic compound?
1
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3. Chemical Reactions
Naming Ionic Compounds
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Which of the following is the correct chemical formula for cesium nitride?
A
Cs2N
B
CsN
C
CsN3
D
Cs3N
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the charges of the ions involved: cesium (Cs) is an alkali metal in Group 1, so it forms a +1 cation (Cs\^{+}), and the nitride ion (N) is from nitrogen in Group 15, which forms a -3 anion (N\^{3-}).
To write the correct formula for an ionic compound, the total positive charge must balance the total negative charge, resulting in a neutral compound.
Set up the charge balance equation: let the number of cesium ions be x and the number of nitride ions be y. Then, the total positive charge is +1\times x and the total negative charge is -3\times y. The equation is: 1\times x = 3\times y.
Since the nitride ion has a charge of -3, you need three cesium ions (each +1) to balance one nitride ion (3-). This gives the formula Cs\_3N.
Write the chemical formula by placing the number of each ion as subscripts: Cs\_3N, indicating three cesium ions for every one nitride ion.
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