Chapter 4: Problem 2
Name some common everyday compounds.
Short Answer
Expert verified
Common everyday compounds include water (H2O), table salt (NaCl), carbon dioxide (CO2), vinegar (CH3COOH), baking soda (NaHCO3), and sugar (C12H22O11).
Step by step solution
01
Identifying Everyday Compounds - Water
One of the most common compounds we come across daily is water. Chemically, it is called dihydrogen oxide and has the formula H2O, consisting of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.
02
Identifying Everyday Compounds - Table Salt
Another ubiquitous compound is table salt, used in cooking. Its chemical name is sodium chloride, and its formula is NaCl, composed of one sodium atom and one chloride atom.
03
Identifying Everyday Compounds - Carbon Dioxide
Carbon dioxide is a compound we encounter every day as it is exhaled during respiration. It is represented by the formula CO2, indicating one carbon atom bonded to two oxygen atoms.
04
Identifying Everyday Compounds - Vinegar
Vinegar, often used in cooking, contains acetic acid. The chemical formula for acetic acid is CH3COOH, which includes carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms.
05
Identifying Everyday Compounds - Baking Soda
Baking soda, a common ingredient in baking, is also known as sodium bicarbonate. Its formula is NaHCO3, comprised of sodium, hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen atoms.
06
Identifying Everyday Compounds - Sugar
Sugar is a compound called sucrose, a common sweetener in foods. The chemical formula of sucrose is C12H22O11, which consists of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Chemical Formula
Understanding the chemical formula of a substance is like deciphering a code that tells us what atoms are present in a molecule and in what quantities. For example, the chemical formula of water, H2O, informs us that each molecule of water is composed of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. This simplicity in the representation of a compound's composition is key to grasping the beauty and complexity of chemistry.
Each letter stands for an element from the periodic table, and the subscript numbers tell us how many atoms of each element are present. No subscript means there's just one atom of that element in the molecule. So, for table salt with the formula NaCl, there is an equal number of sodium (Na) and chloride (Cl) atoms - one of each.
When a compound has a more complex formula, like sucrose with C12H22O11, it means the molecule is made up of twelve carbon atoms, twenty-two hydrogen atoms, and eleven oxygen atoms. By learning these formulas, students gain the ability to quickly understand what substances are made up of, which is crucial for further studies in chemistry and related fields.
Each letter stands for an element from the periodic table, and the subscript numbers tell us how many atoms of each element are present. No subscript means there's just one atom of that element in the molecule. So, for table salt with the formula NaCl, there is an equal number of sodium (Na) and chloride (Cl) atoms - one of each.
When a compound has a more complex formula, like sucrose with C12H22O11, it means the molecule is made up of twelve carbon atoms, twenty-two hydrogen atoms, and eleven oxygen atoms. By learning these formulas, students gain the ability to quickly understand what substances are made up of, which is crucial for further studies in chemistry and related fields.
Molecular Composition
Molecular composition delves deeper into understanding the specific arrangement and bonding of atoms within a molecule. It goes beyond the mere counting of elements indicated by the chemical formula to exploring how these atoms are linked, their spatial arrangement, and the type of bonds that hold them together.
Take carbon dioxide, CO2 as an example. Its linear structure consists of two double bonds connecting the carbon atom in the middle to two oxygen atoms, one on each side. This linear arrangement is vital to its physical and chemical properties. Similarly, the molecular composition of acetic acid, CH3COOH, not only includes the types and numbers of atoms but also the fact that it has a carboxyl group (COOH) which gives it acidic properties.
In essence, the molecular composition gives us a microscopic view of what substances are at the atomistic level, allowing us to predict and explain the properties and behavior of compounds.
Take carbon dioxide, CO2 as an example. Its linear structure consists of two double bonds connecting the carbon atom in the middle to two oxygen atoms, one on each side. This linear arrangement is vital to its physical and chemical properties. Similarly, the molecular composition of acetic acid, CH3COOH, not only includes the types and numbers of atoms but also the fact that it has a carboxyl group (COOH) which gives it acidic properties.
In essence, the molecular composition gives us a microscopic view of what substances are at the atomistic level, allowing us to predict and explain the properties and behavior of compounds.
Compounds in Daily Life
It's fascinating to realize that the world around us is made up of a variety of compounds that play crucial roles in our everyday lives. Our day might begin with a glass of water (H2O), continue with the use of table salt (NaCl) in our meals, and we might take a breath of air with every molecule of carbon dioxide (CO2) we release.
Perhaps we'll bake using baking soda (NaHCO3) or enjoy a sweet treat sweetened with sugar (C12H22O11). From the acetic acid (CH3COOH) in vinegar dressing our salads to the multitude of products we consume or come into contact with, understanding the chemical nature of these compounds enriches our knowledge of the world and can enhance our appreciation for the complexities of chemistry in our day-to-day activities.
Perhaps we'll bake using baking soda (NaHCO3) or enjoy a sweet treat sweetened with sugar (C12H22O11). From the acetic acid (CH3COOH) in vinegar dressing our salads to the multitude of products we consume or come into contact with, understanding the chemical nature of these compounds enriches our knowledge of the world and can enhance our appreciation for the complexities of chemistry in our day-to-day activities.
