Multiple Choice
What is the charge on the cation in the ionic compound sodium sulfide?
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3. Chemical Reactions
Naming Ionic Compounds
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Which is the correct name for the compound Na2SO4?
A
Sodium sulfur oxide
B
Sodium sulfate
C
Sodium sulfite
D
Disodium sulfate
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the ions present in the compound Na2SO4. Sodium (Na) is a metal that forms a cation with a +1 charge, and SO4 is a polyatomic ion called sulfate with a -2 charge.
Determine the correct name for the cation and the anion. The cation Na+ is named 'sodium,' and the anion SO4^2- is named 'sulfate.'
Understand that the prefix 'di-' is not used in naming ionic compounds for the number of metal ions; the formula already shows the ratio of ions needed to balance charges.
Recognize that 'sulfite' refers to SO3^2-, which is different from sulfate (SO4^2-), so 'sulfite' is not correct here.
Combine the names of the cation and anion to form the correct compound name: 'Sodium sulfate.'
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