Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the correct chemical formula for aluminum sulfide?
A
Al3S2
B
AlS
C
Al2S3
D
AlS3
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Identify the charges of the ions involved. Aluminum typically forms a +3 charge ion, written as Al^{3+}, and sulfide forms a -2 charge ion, written as S^{2-}.
Step 2: To write the correct formula for aluminum sulfide, balance the total positive and negative charges so that the compound is electrically neutral.
Step 3: Use the crisscross method to balance charges: take the magnitude of the charge on the aluminum ion (3) and use it as the subscript for sulfur, and take the magnitude of the charge on the sulfide ion (2) and use it as the subscript for aluminum.
Step 4: Write the formula with the subscripts obtained: Al_{2}S_{3}, which means 2 aluminum atoms combine with 3 sulfur atoms to form aluminum sulfide.
Step 5: Verify that the total positive charge (2 × +3 = +6) balances the total negative charge (3 × -2 = -6), confirming the formula Al_{2}S_{3} is correct.