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Multiple Choice
What is the correct chemical formula for aluminum sulfite?
A
Al2SO4
B
Al(SO3)2
C
AlSO3
D
Al2(SO3)3
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the ions involved: aluminum ion and sulfite ion. Aluminum typically forms a +3 charge ion, written as Al^{3+}. The sulfite ion is SO_3^{2-}.
Determine the charges of each ion to balance the overall charge of the compound. Aluminum has a +3 charge, and sulfite has a -2 charge.
Find the lowest common multiple of the charges to balance the total positive and negative charges. The least common multiple of 3 and 2 is 6.
Calculate how many of each ion are needed to reach a total charge of zero. For aluminum (charge +3), 2 ions give +6 charge; for sulfite (charge -2), 3 ions give -6 charge.
Write the chemical formula by placing the number of ions as subscripts: Al_2(SO_3)_3, indicating 2 aluminum ions and 3 sulfite ions combined to form a neutral compound.