Question

Write the formula for each of the following compounds. (a) potassium bromite (b) calcium bromide (c) sodium periodate (d) magnesium hypochlorite

Short answer

Question: Write the chemical formulas for the following compounds: (a) potassium bromite, (b) calcium bromide, (c) sodium periodate, (d) magnesium hypochlorite. Answer: (a) KBrO2, (b) CaBr2, (c) NaIO4, (d) Mg(ClO)2.

Step-by-step solution

Identify ions in the compound

The compound potassium bromite contains potassium ions (K+), bromite ions (BrO2-).

Combine ions with appropriate ratio

In this case, the chemical formula for potassium bromite is KBrO2 (since the charges are already balanced). (b) calcium bromide

Identify ions in the compound

The compound calcium bromide contains calcium ions (Ca2+) and bromide ions (Br-).

Combine ions with appropriate ratio

To balance the charges, we need two bromide ions for every calcium ion. So, the chemical formula for calcium bromide is CaBr2. (c) sodium periodate

Identify ions in the compound

The compound sodium periodate contains sodium ions (Na+) and periodate ions (IO4-).

Combine ions with appropriate ratio

In this case, the chemical formula for sodium periodate is NaIO4 (since the charges are already balanced). (d) magnesium hypochlorite

Identify ions in the compound

The compound magnesium hypochlorite contains magnesium ions (Mg2+) and hypochlorite ions (ClO-).

Combine ions with appropriate ratio

To balance the charges, we need two hypochlorite ions for every magnesium ion. So, the chemical formula for magnesium hypochlorite is Mg(ClO)2.