Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the correct chemical formula for sodium 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 magnesium sulfide?
A
MgS
B
Mg_2S
C
MgSO_4
D
Mg_2SO_3
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the charges of the ions involved: magnesium typically forms a Mg^{2+} ion, and sulfide is the S^{2-} ion.
Since magnesium has a +2 charge and sulfide has a -2 charge, their charges balance in a 1:1 ratio, meaning one Mg^{2+} ion pairs with one S^{2-} ion.
Write the chemical formula by combining the symbols of magnesium and sulfide without any subscripts because the charges are already balanced: MgS.
Check the other options: Mg_2S implies two magnesium ions for one sulfide ion, which would not balance charges; MgSO_4 and Mg_2SO_3 contain sulfate and sulfite ions, which are different compounds.
Conclude that the correct formula for magnesium sulfide, where charges are balanced, is MgS.
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