Assume that you encounter the following sentences in your reading. What is the chemical formula for each substance mentioned? (c) Hydrogen cyanide is a very poisonous gas.

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Identify the elements present in the compound mentioned. In this case, hydrogen cyanide contains hydrogen (H), carbon (C), and nitrogen (N).

Understand the naming convention. The 'cyanide' part of hydrogen cyanide refers to a CN group, which is a common way to denote a cyanide ion.

Determine the chemical formula for the cyanide ion. Cyanide ion is composed of one carbon atom and one nitrogen atom, forming a CN- ion.

Combine the elements according to their stoichiometry in the compound. Since it is hydrogen cyanide, it consists of one hydrogen atom and one cyanide ion.

Write the chemical formula by placing the symbols of the elements and their respective quantities next to each other. For hydrogen cyanide, this would be HCN.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Chemical Formula

A chemical formula is a symbolic representation of a substance that indicates the types and numbers of atoms present. It provides essential information about the composition of a compound, using element symbols from the periodic table and subscripts to denote the number of each type of atom. For example, the formula for water is H2O, indicating two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.

Hydrogen Cyanide

Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) is a highly toxic compound consisting of one hydrogen atom, one carbon atom, and one nitrogen atom. It is a colorless gas with a faint, bitter almond odor and is known for its use in various industrial processes as well as its lethal effects on humans and animals. Understanding its structure is crucial for recognizing its chemical behavior and potential hazards.

Toxicity of Chemicals

Toxicity refers to the degree to which a substance can harm living organisms. It is influenced by factors such as the dose, route of exposure, and the specific biological systems affected. In the case of hydrogen cyanide, its high toxicity is due to its ability to inhibit cellular respiration, leading to severe physiological effects and potentially death if inhaled or ingested.

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