Write the chemical formulas for the compounds containing each of the following: a) one calcium atom for every two iodide atoms. b) two nitrogen atoms for every four oxygen atoms. c) one silicon atom for every two oxygen atoms. d) one zinc atom for every two chlorine atoms
a) To write the chemical formula for a compound containing one calcium atom for every two iodide atoms, we need to determine the charges of the calcium ion and the iodide ion.
Calcium ions (Ca2+) have a charge of +2 since calcium is an alkaline earth metal. Iodide ions (I-) have a charge of -1 since iodine is a halogen.
To achieve a neutral compound, the charges must balance out. Since the calcium ion has a +2 charge, it can bond with two iodide ions, each with a -1 charge.
Therefore, the chemical formula for this compound is CaI2.
b) For a compound containing two nitrogen atoms for every four oxygen atoms, we need to determine the charges of the nitrogen and oxygen ions.
Nitrogen ions (N3-) have a charge of -3 since nitrogen is a group 15 element. Oxygen ions (O2-) have a charge of -2 since oxygen is a group 16 element.
To achieve a neutral compound, the charges must balance out. Since the nitrogen ion has a -3 charge, it can bond with three oxygen ions, each with a -2 charge.
Therefore, the chemical formula for this compound is N2O3.
c) To write the chemical formula for a compound containing one silicon atom for every two oxygen atoms, we need to determine the charges of the silicon and oxygen ions.
Silicon ions (Si4+) have a charge of +4 since silicon is a group 14 element. Oxygen ions (O2-) have a charge of -2 since oxygen is a group 16 element.
To achieve a neutral compound, the charges must balance out. Since the silicon ion has a +4 charge, it can bond with four oxygen ions, each with a -2 charge.
Therefore, the chemical formula for this compound is SiO2.
d) For a compound containing one zinc atom for every two chlorine atoms, we need to determine the charges of the zinc and chlorine ions.
Zinc ions (Zn2+) have a charge of +2 since zinc is a transition metal. Chlorine ions (Cl-) have a charge of -1 since chlorine is a halogen.
To achieve a neutral compound, the charges must balance out. Since the zinc ion has a +2 charge, it can bond with two chlorine ions, each with a -1 charge.
Therefore, the chemical formula for this compound is ZnCl2.
a) The chemical formula for a compound containing one calcium atom for every two iodide atoms is CaI2.
b) The chemical formula for a compound containing two nitrogen atoms for every four oxygen atoms is N2O4.
c) The chemical formula for a compound containing one silicon atom for every two oxygen atoms is SiO2.
d) The chemical formula for a compound containing one zinc atom for every two chlorine atoms is ZnCl2.
What are you having trouble with? The question tells you how the atoms are combined. For example,
a is CaI2.
b is N2O4.