If you were to draw diagrams (such as that shown on the right) representing aqueous solutions of each of the following ionic compounds, how many anions would you show if the diagram contained six cations? (a) NiSO4, (b) Ca(NO3)2, (c) Na3PO4, (d) Al2(SO4)3
To determine the number of anions in each compound, we need to consider the chemical formulas of the compounds and the charges of the cations and anions involved.
(a) NiSO4: The chemical formula indicates that there's one nickel cation (Ni^2+) and one sulfate anion (SO4^2-). So, for every cation, there will be one anion. If there are six cations present, there will be six sulfate anions.
(b) Ca(NO3)2: The chemical formula indicates that there's one calcium cation (Ca^2+) and two nitrate anions (NO3^-). For every cation, there are two anions. Therefore, if there are six cations, there will be twelve nitrate anions.
(c) Na3PO4: The chemical formula indicates that there are three sodium cations (Na^+) and one phosphate anion (PO4^3-). For every three cations, there is one anion. Therefore, if there are six cations, there will be two phosphate anions.
(d) Al2(SO4)3: The chemical formula indicates that there are two aluminum cations (Al^3+) and three sulfate anions (SO4^2-). For every two cations, there are three anions. Therefore, if there are six cations, there will be nine sulfate anions.
To summarize:
(a) NiSO4: 6 cations, 6 sulfate anions
(b) Ca(NO3)2: 6 cations, 12 nitrate anions
(c) Na3PO4: 6 cations, 2 phosphate anions
(d) Al2(SO4)3: 6 cations, 9 sulfate anions
To determine the number of anions in a diagram representing an aqueous solution, you need to consider the chemical formula of the compound and identify the number of anions associated with each cation present.
Let's calculate the number of anions for each compound:
(a) NiSO4:
- The chemical formula gives us one Ni cation (Ni2+) and one SO4 anion (SO42-).
- So, the diagram for NiSO4 would contain one anion.
(b) Ca(NO3)2:
- The chemical formula gives us one Ca cation (Ca2+) and two NO3 anions (NO3-).
- So, the diagram for Ca(NO3)2 would contain two anions.
(c) Na3PO4:
- The chemical formula gives us three Na cations (Na+) and one PO4 anion (PO43-).
- So, the diagram for Na3PO4 would contain one anion.
(d) Al2(SO4)3:
- The chemical formula gives us two Al cations (Al3+) and three SO4 anions (SO42-).
- So, the diagram for Al2(SO4)3 would contain three anions.
In summary:
(a) NiSO4 would contain one anion.
(b) Ca(NO3)2 would contain two anions.
(c) Na3PO4 would contain one anion.
(d) Al2(SO4)3 would contain three anions.
Remember, it is always important to carefully analyze the chemical formula of the compound to determine the number of cations and anions present, as well as their charges, in order to accurately draw the corresponding diagrams.
The anions will be SO4^=, NO3^-, PO4^3-. You don't have six cations; you have Ni^2+, Ca^2+, Na^+, Al^3+.
Perhaps you didn't type all of the problem.