Question

Write the formula of each of the following: a. sulfur dibromide b. carbon disulfide c. tetraphosphorus hexoxide d. dinitrogen pentoxide

Short answer

SBr2, CS2, P4O6, N2O5

Step-by-step solution

Identify the Elements

Determine the chemical symbols for each of the elements mentioned in the compounds.

Identify the Prefixes

Understand the prefixes that imply the number of atoms of each element in the compounds.

Write the Formula for Sulfur Dibromide

Sulfur is represented by the symbol 'S' and bromine by 'Br'. The prefix 'di-' indicates two bromine atoms. Thus, the formula is SBr2.

Write the Formula for Carbon Disulfide

Carbon is represented by the symbol 'C' and sulfur by 'S'. The prefix 'di-' indicates two sulfur atoms. Thus, the formula is CS2.

Write the Formula for Tetraphosphorus Hexoxide

Phosphorus is represented by the symbol 'P' and oxygen by 'O'. The prefix 'tetra-' indicates four phosphorus atoms, and 'hexa-' indicates six oxygen atoms. Thus, the formula is P4O6.

Write the Formula for Dinitrogen Pentoxide

Nitrogen is represented by the symbol 'N' and oxygen by 'O'. The prefix 'di-' indicates two nitrogen atoms, and 'penta-' indicates five oxygen atoms. Thus, the formula is N2O5.

Key concepts

chemical symbols

Chemical symbols are shorthand representations of elements. Each element on the periodic table has a unique one or two-letter symbol. For example, sulfur is represented by 'S', carbon by 'C', phosphorus by 'P', nitrogen by 'N', bromine by 'Br', and oxygen by 'O'. These symbols enable us to easily write and read chemical formulas. Remembering these symbols is essential, as they are the building blocks for understanding more complex chemical relationships.

prefixes in chemistry

In chemistry, prefixes are used to denote the number of atoms of each element in a compound. Here are some common prefixes you might encounter:

• mono- (1)
• di- (2)
• tri- (3)
• tetra- (4)
• penta- (5)
• hexa- (6)
• hepta- (7)
• octa- (8)
• nona- (9)
• deca- (10)

These prefixes help to clarify the exact composition of a chemical compound. For example, in 'carbon disulfide', the prefix 'di-' reveals there are two sulfur atoms.

writing chemical formulas

Writing chemical formulas involves combining chemical symbols with the appropriate prefixes. Here is a step-by-step method:

• Identify the elements and their symbols. For instance, in sulfur dibromide, sulfur is 'S' and bromine is 'Br'.
• Determine the number of each type of atom using prefixes. In sulfur dibromide, 'di-' means two, resulting in two bromine atoms.
• Write the chemical formula by combining the symbols with the number of atoms. Using our example, sulfur dibromide becomes SBr2.

This process can be applied to any molecular compound. Practice will help you become more confident in writing these formulas.

molecular compounds

Molecular compounds are formed when two or more non-metal elements share electrons. These compounds often contain prefixes in their names to indicate the number of each type of atom. The combination of different atoms and the number of those atoms create distinct compounds with unique properties.
For example:

• Sulfur dibromide (SBr2) contains one sulfur atom and two bromine atoms.
• Carbon disulfide (CS2) consists of one carbon atom and two sulfur atoms.
• Tetraphosphorus hexoxide (P4O6) includes four phosphorus atoms and six oxygen atoms.
• Dinitrogen pentoxide (N2O5) comprises two nitrogen atoms and five oxygen atoms.

Understanding these compounds helps make sense of how different non-metals combine to form new substances. Each molecular compound has unique chemical and physical properties, determined by its specific atomic structure.