Multiple Choice
NaCl is the chemical formula for which compound?
3. Chemical Reactions
Naming Ionic Compounds
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Which of the following is the correct chemical formula for sodium sulfite?
A
NaSO3
B
NaSO4
C
Na2SO4
D
Na2SO3
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the ions involved in sodium sulfite. Sodium (Na) forms a +1 charge ion (Na\^+), and sulfite is the polyatomic ion SO\_3\^{2-}.
Determine the charges on each ion: Na\^+ has a +1 charge, and SO\_3\^{2-} has a -2 charge.
Balance the total positive and negative charges to make the compound electrically neutral. Since sulfite has a -2 charge, you need two Na\^+ ions to balance one SO\_3\^{2-} ion.
Write the chemical formula by combining the ions with the correct subscripts: two sodium ions and one sulfite ion, resulting in Na\_2SO\_3.
Confirm that the formula Na\_2SO\_3 represents sodium sulfite, as it balances the charges and matches the name of the compound.
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