Chapter 2: Problem 122
Write the formula of potassium nitrate and ammonium carbonate.
Short Answer
Expert verified
Potassium nitrate is KNO鈧; ammonium carbonate is (NH鈧)鈧侰O鈧.
Step by step solution
01
Identify Atomic Symbols
Potassium nitrate consists of potassium (K) and nitrate (NO鈧). Ammonium carbonate consists of ammonium (NH鈧) and carbonate (CO鈧) ions.
02
Determine Charge of Ions
Potassium (K) has a charge of +1, and nitrate (NO鈧) has a charge of -1. Ammonium (NH鈧) has a charge of +1, and carbonate (CO鈧) has a charge of -2.
03
Balance the Charges for Potassium Nitrate
Since both potassium and nitrate have charges of +1 and -1 respectively, the compound formula for potassium nitrate is KNO鈧.
04
Balance the Charges for Ammonium Carbonate
Since the ammonium ion is +1 and the carbonate ion is -2, two ammonium ions are needed to balance one carbonate ion, resulting in (NH鈧)鈧侰O鈧 as the formula.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Potassium Nitrate
Potassium nitrate is a chemical compound widely used in fertilizers, food preservation, and even as a component in gunpowder.
Its chemical formula, KNO鈧, reflects its composition of potassium (K) and nitrate (NO鈧) ions. The key to understanding the formula lies in balancing the charges of these ions. - Potassium ion (K): It has a positive charge of +1. - Nitrate ion (NO鈧): It carries a negative charge of -1. Because the charges of potassium and nitrate cancel each other out perfectly, the resulting formula is simply KNO鈧. This means each potassium ion pairs with one nitrate ion to form a stable ionic compound.
This balance of charges is essential for maintaining the stability and neutrality of the compound.
Its chemical formula, KNO鈧, reflects its composition of potassium (K) and nitrate (NO鈧) ions. The key to understanding the formula lies in balancing the charges of these ions. - Potassium ion (K): It has a positive charge of +1. - Nitrate ion (NO鈧): It carries a negative charge of -1. Because the charges of potassium and nitrate cancel each other out perfectly, the resulting formula is simply KNO鈧. This means each potassium ion pairs with one nitrate ion to form a stable ionic compound.
This balance of charges is essential for maintaining the stability and neutrality of the compound.
Ammonium Carbonate
Ammonium carbonate is a chemical compound found in applications ranging from baking powders to smelling salts. It is formed by the combination of ammonium (NH鈧) and carbonate (CO鈧) ions. Understanding its formula requires a deeper dive into the charges of these ions.
- Ammonium ion (NH鈧): This ion carries a positive charge of +1.
- Carbonate ion (CO鈧): It has a negative charge of -2.
To create a neutral compound, two ammonium ions are needed to balance out the two negative charges of one carbonate ion.
Thus, the chemical formula for ammonium carbonate is (NH鈧)鈧侰O鈧.
Two NH鈧勨伜 ions provide a total of +2 charges, which perfectly counterbalances the -2 charge of a single CO鈧兟测伝 ion, forming a stable compound.
Thus, the chemical formula for ammonium carbonate is (NH鈧)鈧侰O鈧.
Two NH鈧勨伜 ions provide a total of +2 charges, which perfectly counterbalances the -2 charge of a single CO鈧兟测伝 ion, forming a stable compound.
Ion Charges
Ion charges are crucial in the formation of chemical compounds, as they dictate how atoms and molecules interact to form stable structures. Ions are atoms or molecules that have gained or lost electrons, resulting in a net positive or negative charge.
This means that the sum of positive charges must equal the sum of negative charges. For example, in potassium nitrate (KNO鈧), potassium (K) is a cation with a +1 charge, while nitrate (NO鈧) is an anion with a -1 charge, thus they balance each other perfectly.
Similarly, the combination of ions in ammonium carbonate also requires the balance of charges, where two NH鈧勨伜 cations match one CO鈧兟测伝 anion, ensuring the compound is neutral.
Understanding ion charges helps in predicting and writing correct chemical formulas for compounds.
- Cation: A positively charged ion, resulting from the loss of electrons.
- Anion: A negatively charged ion, formed when electrons are gained.
This means that the sum of positive charges must equal the sum of negative charges. For example, in potassium nitrate (KNO鈧), potassium (K) is a cation with a +1 charge, while nitrate (NO鈧) is an anion with a -1 charge, thus they balance each other perfectly.
Similarly, the combination of ions in ammonium carbonate also requires the balance of charges, where two NH鈧勨伜 cations match one CO鈧兟测伝 anion, ensuring the compound is neutral.
Understanding ion charges helps in predicting and writing correct chemical formulas for compounds.