Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the correct chemical formula for ammonium sulfate?
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3. Chemical Reactions
Naming Ionic Compounds
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Which of the following is the correct formula for the compound formed by calcium ions and chloride ions?
A
CaCl_2
B
Ca_2Cl_2
C
Ca_2Cl
D
CaCl
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the charges of the ions involved: calcium ions (Ca) typically have a charge of +2, written as Ca^{2+}, and chloride ions (Cl) have a charge of -1, written as Cl^{-}.
Determine the ratio of ions needed to balance the total positive and negative charges so that the compound is electrically neutral.
Since calcium has a +2 charge and chloride has a -1 charge, you need two chloride ions to balance one calcium ion, because 1 \times (+2) + 2 \times (-1) = 0.
Write the formula by placing the calcium ion symbol first, followed by the chloride ion symbol with a subscript indicating the number of chloride ions needed: CaCl_2.
Verify that the formula is neutral overall and represents the simplest whole-number ratio of ions.
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