Which of the following is the correct chemical formula for the ionic compound formed between barium (Ba) and sulfur (S)?
A
Ba2S2
B
BaS2
C
Ba2S
D
BaS
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1
Identify the charges of the ions formed by barium and sulfur. Barium (Ba) is an alkaline earth metal in Group 2, so it typically forms a +2 cation: \(\mathrm{Ba^{2+}}\). Sulfur (S) is a nonmetal in Group 16 and typically forms a -2 anion: \(\mathrm{S^{2-}}\).
Determine the ratio of ions needed to balance the overall charge of the compound. Since barium has a +2 charge and sulfur has a -2 charge, one \(\mathrm{Ba^{2+}}\) ion will balance with one \(\mathrm{S^{2-}}\) ion to make a neutral compound.
Write the chemical formula by combining the ions in the ratio that balances the charges. Because the charges are equal and opposite, the formula is simply \(\mathrm{BaS}\), with one barium ion and one sulfur ion.
Check the other options to confirm they do not represent the simplest whole-number ratio of ions. For example, \(\mathrm{Ba_2S_2}\) can be simplified to \(\mathrm{BaS}\), and \(\mathrm{BaS_2}\) or \(\mathrm{Ba_2S}\) do not balance the charges correctly.
Conclude that the correct chemical formula for the ionic compound formed between barium and sulfur is \(\mathrm{BaS}\), reflecting the 1:1 ratio of \(\mathrm{Ba^{2+}}\) to \(\mathrm{S^{2-}}\) ions.