O-MEASUREMENT AND MATTER: Predicting the formula of ionic compounds with common ions
Write the empirical formula for at least four ionic compounds that could be formed from the following ions:
Pb+, NH4+, CHO2-, NO3-
Explanation:
To determine the empirical formula of an ionic compound, we need to balance the charges of the ions involved. The charges of the ions given are:
Pb+ (Lead ion with a charge of +1)
NH4+ (Ammonium ion with a charge of +1)
CHO2- (Formate ion with a charge of -1)
NO3- (Nitrate ion with a charge of -1)
To balance the charges, we need to find the least common multiple (LCM) of the charges. The LCM of +1 and -1 is 1. Therefore, we can combine one Pb+ ion with one CHO2- ion to form PbCHO2, and one NH4+ ion with one NO3- ion to form NH4NO3.
Check:
PbCHO2: Pb+1 + CHO2-1 = PbCHO2 (balanced charges)
NH4NO3: NH4+1 + NO3-1 = NH4NO3 (balanced charges)
