Show how vertical multiplication can be used to do a charge balance if Zn2+ combines with Cl-
Zn2+ cl- = zn×1 cl×2 =zncl2
To balance the charges of Zn2+ combining with Cl-, you can use vertical multiplication. Here is a step-by-step process:
Step 1: Write the chemical formula for the compound
Zn2+ + Cl- ⟶
Step 2: Determine the charges of the ions
Zn2+ has a +2 charge, and Cl- has a -1 charge.
Step 3: Identify the common multiple of the charges
To balance the charges, you need to find the least common multiple of +2 and -1, which is 2.
Step 4: Multiply the charges by the common multiple
Zn2+ × 2 + Cl- × 2 ⟶
This gives us:
2Zn2+ + 2Cl- ⟶
Step 5: Check the charges and balance if necessary
Since Zn2+ has a +2 charge and Cl- has a -1 charge, the charges are already balanced, and the equation is now balanced.
The balanced equation is:
2Zn2+ + 2Cl- ⟶
To achieve charge balance, we can use vertical multiplication, also known as crisscross method, to determine the chemical formula for Zn2+ combining with Cl-. The crisscross method involves taking the absolute value of the charges on each ion and using them as subscripts for the opposing ion.
Here's how we can use vertical multiplication to determine the chemical formula:
1. Write the symbols for the ions involved: Zn2+ and Cl-.
2. Determine the absolute value of the charges on each ion: The charge of Zn2+ is 2+ and the charge of Cl- is 1-.
3. Take the absolute value of each charge: The absolute value of 2+ is 2 and the absolute value of 1- is 1.
4. Write the subscripts for each ion, using the absolute values of the charges obtained in the previous step: Place the subscript 2 next to Cl- and the subscript 1 next to Zn2+.
5. Write the chemical formula by combining the symbols and subscripts: The chemical formula for Zn2+ combining with Cl- would be ZnCl2.
This is how vertical multiplication can be used to achieve charge balance when Zn2+ combines with Cl-. By using the crisscross method, we can determine the correct chemical formula based on the charges of the ions involved.