Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the correct chemical formula for aluminum sulfide?
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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 formed between sodium and bromine?
A
Na2Br2
B
Na2Br
C
NaBr2
D
NaBr
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the ions formed by sodium and bromine. Sodium (Na) is an alkali metal that typically forms a +1 cation, written as $\mathrm{Na^{+}}$. Bromine (Br) is a halogen that typically forms a -1 anion, written as $\mathrm{Br^{-}}$.
Determine the ratio of ions needed to balance the overall charge in the compound. Since sodium has a +1 charge and bromine has a -1 charge, one sodium ion will balance one bromide ion.
Write the chemical formula by combining the ions in the ratio that results in a neutral compound. Because the charges are equal and opposite, the formula is $\mathrm{NaBr}$, with one sodium ion and one bromide ion.
Check the other options to see if they maintain charge neutrality. For example, $\mathrm{Na_2Br_2}$ simplifies to $\mathrm{NaBr}$, but is not the conventional way to write the formula; $\mathrm{Na_2Br}$ and $\mathrm{NaBr_2}$ do not balance charges correctly.
Conclude that the correct chemical formula for the ionic compound formed between sodium and bromine is $\mathrm{NaBr}$.
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