Table of contents

1. Intro to General Chemistry3h 48m
2. Atoms & Elements4h 16m
3. Chemical Reactions4h 10m
4. BONUS: Lab Techniques and Procedures1h 38m
5. BONUS: Mathematical Operations and Functions48m
6. Chemical Quantities & Aqueous Reactions3h 53m
7. Gases3h 49m
8. Thermochemistry2h 37m
9. Quantum Mechanics2h 58m
10. Periodic Properties of the Elements3h 9m
11. Bonding & Molecular Structure3h 29m
12. Molecular Shapes & Valence Bond Theory1h 57m
13. Liquids, Solids & Intermolecular Forces2h 23m
14. Solutions3h 1m
15. Chemical Kinetics2h 53m
16. Chemical Equilibrium2h 29m
17. Acid and Base Equilibrium5h 1m
18. Aqueous Equilibrium4h 47m
19. Chemical Thermodynamics1h 50m
20. Electrochemistry2h 42m
21. Nuclear Chemistry2h 36m
22. Organic Chemistry5h 7m
23. Chemistry of the Nonmetals2h 39m
24. Transition Metals and Coordination Compounds3h 16m

3. Chemical Reactions

Naming Ionic Compounds

General Chemistry

3. Chemical Reactions

Naming Ionic Compounds

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following is the correct formula for the ionic compound formed from barium and phosphorus?

Ba3P2

BaPO4

BaP

Ba2P3

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Verified step by step guidance

Identify the charges of the ions formed by barium and phosphorus. Barium is an alkaline earth metal in Group 2, so it forms a cation with a charge of +2, written as $\mathrm{Ba^{2+}}$.

Phosphorus is a nonmetal in Group 15, and it typically forms an anion with a charge of -3, written as $\mathrm{P^{3-}}$.

To form a neutral ionic compound, the total positive charge must balance the total negative charge. Set up the charge balance equation: $2x = 3y$, where $x$ is the number of barium ions and $y$ is the number of phosphorus ions.

Find the smallest whole number ratio of $x$ and $y$ that satisfies the charge balance. The least common multiple of 2 and 3 is 6, so multiply barium ions by 3 and phosphorus ions by 2 to get $3 \times (+2) = +6$ and $2 \times (-3) = -6$.

Write the formula using the ratio found: $\mathrm{Ba_3P_2}$, which shows 3 barium ions and 2 phosphorus ions combined to form a neutral ionic compound.