Table of contents

1. Intro to General Chemistry3h 48m
2. Atoms & Elements4h 16m
3. Chemical Reactions4h 10m
4. BONUS: Lab Techniques and Procedures1h 38m
5. BONUS: Mathematical Operations and Functions48m
6. Chemical Quantities & Aqueous Reactions3h 53m
7. Gases3h 49m
8. Thermochemistry2h 37m
9. Quantum Mechanics2h 58m
10. Periodic Properties of the Elements3h 9m
11. Bonding & Molecular Structure3h 29m
12. Molecular Shapes & Valence Bond Theory1h 57m
13. Liquids, Solids & Intermolecular Forces2h 23m
14. Solutions3h 1m
15. Chemical Kinetics2h 53m
16. Chemical Equilibrium2h 29m
17. Acid and Base Equilibrium5h 1m
18. Aqueous Equilibrium4h 47m
19. Chemical Thermodynamics1h 50m
20. Electrochemistry2h 42m
21. Nuclear Chemistry2h 36m
22. Organic Chemistry5h 7m
23. Chemistry of the Nonmetals2h 39m
24. Transition Metals and Coordination Compounds3h 16m

3. Chemical Reactions

Naming Ionic Compounds

General Chemistry

3. Chemical Reactions

Naming Ionic Compounds

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following is the correct chemical formula for aluminum phosphate?

AlPO_4

Al_3(PO_4)_2

Al_2(PO_4)_3

AlPO_3

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Verified step by step guidance

Identify the charges of the ions involved: aluminum typically forms a +3 charge (Al^{3+}), and the phosphate ion (PO_4) has a -3 charge (PO_4^{3-}).

Since aluminum has a +3 charge and phosphate has a -3 charge, they combine in a 1:1 ratio to balance the charges and form a neutral compound.

Write the formula by placing one aluminum ion and one phosphate ion together without needing any subscripts to balance the charges, resulting in AlPO_4.

Check the other options to see if their subscripts reflect the correct charge balance: for example, Al_2(PO_4)_3 would imply 2 Al^{3+} ions and 3 PO_4^{3-} ions, which does not balance charge correctly.

Conclude that the correct formula is AlPO_4 because it reflects the simplest whole-number ratio that balances the charges of aluminum and phosphate ions.