Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the correct name for the molecular compound N_2O?
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3. Chemical Reactions
Naming Molecular Compounds
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Which of the following is the correct chemical formula for phosphorus pentachloride?
A
PCl_3
B
P_5Cl
C
PCl_5
D
P_2Cl_5
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the naming convention: 'Phosphorus pentachloride' indicates a compound made of phosphorus and chlorine atoms, where 'penta-' means five chlorine atoms are bonded to one phosphorus atom.
Recall that the prefix 'penta-' corresponds to the number 5, so the chemical formula should reflect one phosphorus atom and five chlorine atoms.
Analyze each option: PCl_3 has only three chlorine atoms, P_5Cl suggests five phosphorus atoms and one chlorine atom, PCl_5 has one phosphorus and five chlorine atoms, and P_2Cl_5 has two phosphorus atoms and five chlorine atoms.
Match the correct formula to the name: since 'pentachloride' means five chlorine atoms, the formula must have five chlorine atoms attached to one phosphorus atom, which corresponds to PCl_5.
Conclude that the correct chemical formula for phosphorus pentachloride is PCl_5.
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