Multiple Choice
Which of the following is a typical property of ionic compounds?
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3. Chemical Reactions
Naming Ionic Compounds
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Which of the following is the correct chemical formula for the ionic compound sodium sulfate?
A
NaSO4
B
NaSO3
C
Na2SO3
D
Na2SO4
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the ions involved in the compound: sodium (Na) and sulfate (SO4). Sodium typically forms a +1 charge ion (Na\u207A), and sulfate is a polyatomic ion with a -2 charge (SO\u2084\u207B\u2082).
Determine the charges of each ion: Na\u207A has a +1 charge, and SO\u2084\u207B\u2082 has a -2 charge.
Balance the total positive and negative charges to make the compound electrically neutral. Since sulfate has a -2 charge, you need two sodium ions (each +1) to balance one sulfate ion (-2).
Write the chemical formula by placing the number of each ion as subscripts: two sodium ions and one sulfate ion gives Na\u2082SO\u2084.
Confirm that the formula Na\u2082SO\u2084 represents a neutral ionic compound with balanced charges, which is the correct formula for sodium sulfate.
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