Fill in the missing information to give formulas for the fol-lowing compounds:(a) Na?SO4(b) Ba?(PO4)? (c) Ga?(SO4)?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the charge of the cations and anions in each compound.
2. For (a) Na?SO4: Sodium (Na) has a +1 charge, and sulfate (SO4) has a -2 charge. Determine how many sodium ions are needed to balance the charge of one sulfate ion.
3. For (b) Ba?(PO4)?: Barium (Ba) has a +2 charge, and phosphate (PO4) has a -3 charge. Determine how many barium ions and phosphate ions are needed to balance the charges.
4. For (c) Ga?(SO4)?: Gallium (Ga) typically has a +3 charge, and sulfate (SO4) has a -2 charge. Determine how many gallium ions and sulfate ions are needed to balance the charges.
5. Write the chemical formulas by combining the ions in the correct ratio to ensure the overall charge of the compound is zero.

Key Concepts

Ionic Compounds

Ionic compounds are formed from the electrostatic attraction between positively charged cations and negatively charged anions. In the context of the question, understanding how to identify the charges of common ions, such as Na+, Ba2+, and PO4^3-, is essential for determining the correct formulas of the compounds listed.

Polyatomic Ions

Polyatomic ions are ions composed of two or more atoms that are covalently bonded and carry a net charge. For example, sulfate (SO4^2-) and phosphate (PO4^3-) are common polyatomic ions. Recognizing these ions and their charges is crucial for correctly writing the formulas of compounds that include them.

Charge Balance in Compounds

In ionic compounds, the total positive charge must balance the total negative charge to achieve electrical neutrality. This principle is vital when determining the correct subscripts in the formulas. For instance, if a compound contains a divalent cation like Ba2+, it will require two monovalent anions like SO4^2- to balance the charges.