Chapter 4: Problem 47
Write the formula of each of the following: a. oxygen difluoride b. boron trichloride c. dinitrogen trioxide d. sulfur hexafluoride
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Molecular Formulas
• Identify the elements in the compound
• Use prefixes (like 'di-', 'tri-', 'hexa-') in the compound name to determine the number of atoms of each element
Practicing these steps with various compounds will help in understanding and mastering molecular formulas.
Nomenclature of Compounds
• Prefixes indicate the number of atoms (e.g., 'mono-' for one, 'di-' for two, 'tri-' for three)
• The first element in the name retains its elemental name (e.g., 'Boron' in Boron Trichloride)
• The second element's name is modified to end in '-ide' (e.g., 'Chlorine' becomes 'Chloride')
Take 'Dinitrogen Trioxide' (N₂O₃) as an example: 'Dinitrogen' indicates two nitrogen atoms, and 'Trioxide' means three oxygen atoms. Understanding these rules is crucial for accurately writing chemical formulas from compound names.
Chemical Structures
• They can be represented in various forms, including structural formulas, ball-and-stick models, and Lewis dot structures
• A structural formula shows the exact arrangement and bonds between atoms
• Bonding tendencies of atoms (e.g., Carbon forms four bonds, Oxygen forms two) guide the structure
Take 'Sulfur Hexafluoride' (SF₆) as an example: Sulfur is at the center with six Fluorine atoms symmetrically arranged around it. Grasping chemical structures helps predict how compounds will interact in different chemical reactions.