Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the correct chemical formula for barium hydroxide?
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3. Chemical Reactions
Naming Ionic Compounds
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Which of the following is the correct chemical formula for sodium sulfate?
A
Na2SO4
B
Na2SO3
C
NaSO4
D
NaSO3
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the ions involved in sodium sulfate. Sodium (Na) forms a +1 charge ion (Na\^+), and sulfate (SO4) is a polyatomic ion with a -2 charge (SO4\^{2-}).
Determine the ratio of sodium ions needed to balance the charge of one sulfate ion. Since sulfate has a -2 charge, you need two sodium ions (each +1) to balance the charge.
Write the chemical formula by combining the ions in the ratio that balances the total positive and negative charges. This gives Na\_2SO\_4.
Check the other options to see if they correctly represent the charges and composition: Na\_2SO\_3 and NaSO\_3 contain sulfite (SO3\^{2-}), not sulfate, and NaSO\_4 does not balance the charges correctly.
Conclude that the correct formula for sodium sulfate is Na\_2SO\_4 because it correctly represents the ions and their charges.
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