Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the correct chemical formula for copper(II) sulfate?
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3. Chemical Reactions
Naming Ionic Compounds
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Which of the following is the correct chemical formula for aluminum chloride?
A
Al_3Cl_2
B
AlCl_3
C
AlCl
D
Al_2Cl_3
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the charges of the ions involved: aluminum typically forms a +3 charge (Al^{3+}), and chloride forms a -1 charge (Cl^{-}).
Determine the ratio of aluminum ions to chloride ions needed to balance the overall charge to zero.
Since aluminum has a +3 charge and chloride has a -1 charge, you need three chloride ions to balance one aluminum ion.
Write the chemical formula by placing the number of each ion as subscripts: one aluminum ion and three chloride ions, resulting in AlCl_3.
Verify that the total positive charge (+3 from Al) balances the total negative charge (3 × -1 from Cl), confirming the formula is electrically neutral.
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