Which of the following is the correct chemical formula for carbon tetrachloride?

• A. CCl_4
• B. CCl_2
• C. C_4Cl
• D. C_2Cl_4

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the name 'carbon tetrachloride': 'tetra' means four, indicating there are four chlorine atoms bonded to one carbon atom.
2. Recall that the chemical symbol for carbon is 'C' and for chlorine is 'Cl'.
3. Combine the symbols to reflect one carbon atom and four chlorine atoms, which gives the formula 'CCl_4'.
4. Check the other options to see if they match the name: 'CCl_2' has only two chlorines, 'C_4Cl' has four carbons and one chlorine, and 'C_2Cl_4' has two carbons and four chlorines, none of which match the name 'carbon tetrachloride'.
5. Conclude that the correct chemical formula for carbon tetrachloride is \(CCl_4\).