Question

Give the chemical formula for (a) hydrocyanic acid, (b) nickel tetracarbonyl, (c) barium bicarbonate, (d) calcium acetylide, (e) potassium carbonate.

Short answer

The chemical formulas for the given compounds are: (a) hydrocyanic acid: \(HCN\), (b) nickel tetracarbonyl: \(Ni(CO)_4\), (c) barium bicarbonate: \(Ba(HCO_3)_2\), (d) calcium acetylide: \(CaC_2\), and (e) potassium carbonate: \(K_2CO_3\).

Step-by-step solution

1. Identifying elements and their charges

Hydrocyanic acid is composed of hydrogen (H) with a charge of +1 and cyanide ion (CN) with a charge of -1.

2. Combining elements

Since hydrogen has a charge of +1 and cyanide ion has a charge of -1, we can combine one hydrogen atom (H) with one cyanide ion (CN) to achieve a net charge of zero. Therefore, the chemical formula for hydrocyanic acid is \(HCN\). (b) Nickel tetracarbonyl

1. Identifying elements and their charges

Nickel tetracarbonyl is composed of nickel (Ni) with a charge of +2 and four carbonyl groups (CO), each with a charge of -1.

2. Combining elements

Since nickel has a charge of +2 and one carbonyl group has a charge of -1, we need to combine one nickel atom (Ni) with four carbonyl groups (CO) to achieve a net charge of zero. Therefore, the chemical formula for nickel tetracarbonyl is \(Ni(CO)_4\). (c) Barium bicarbonate

1. Identifying elements and their charges

Barium bicarbonate is composed of barium ion (Ba) with a charge of +2 and two bicarbonate ions (HCO3) each with a charge of -1.

2. Combining elements

Since barium has a charge of +2 and each bicarbonate ion has a charge of -1, we need to combine one barium ion (Ba) with two bicarbonate ions (HCO3) to achieve a net charge of zero. Therefore, the chemical formula for barium bicarbonate is \(Ba(HCO_3)_2\). (d) Calcium acetylide

1. Identifying elements and their charges

Calcium acetylide is composed of calcium ion (Ca) with a charge of +2 and acetylide ion (C2) with a charge of -2.

2. Combining elements

Since calcium has a charge of +2 and acetylide ion has a charge of -2, we can combine one calcium ion (Ca) with one acetylide ion (C2) to achieve a net charge of zero. Therefore, the chemical formula for calcium acetylide is \(CaC_2\). (e) Potassium carbonate

1. Identifying elements and their charges

Potassium carbonate is composed of potassium ions (K) each with a charge of +1 and a carbonate ion (CO3) with a charge of -2.

2. Combining elements

Since potassium ion has a charge of +1 and carbonate ion has a charge of -2, we need to combine two potassium ions (K) with one carbonate ion (CO3) to achieve a net charge of zero. Therefore, the chemical formula for potassium carbonate is \(K_2CO_3\).