Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the correct chemical formula for aluminum perbromate?
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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 iron(III) (Fe^{3+}) and chloride (Cl^{-}) ions?
A
Fe_2Cl_3
B
Fe_3Cl
C
FeCl_2
D
FeCl_3
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the charges of the ions involved: iron(III) ion has a charge of +3 (Fe^{3+}) and chloride ion has a charge of -1 (Cl^{-}).
Determine the ratio of ions needed to balance the total positive and negative charges so that the compound is electrically neutral.
Set up the charge balance equation: the total positive charge from iron ions must equal the total negative charge from chloride ions. This can be expressed as 3x = 1y, where x is the number of Fe^{3+} ions and y is the number of Cl^{-} ions.
Find the smallest whole number ratio of Fe^{3+} to Cl^{-} ions that satisfies the charge balance. Since Fe^{3+} has a +3 charge and Cl^{-} has a -1 charge, three chloride ions are needed to balance one iron(III) ion.
Write the chemical formula using the ratio found: one Fe^{3+} ion combined with three Cl^{-} ions gives the formula FeCl_3.
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