Textbook Question
Predict the chemical formulas of the compounds formed by the following pairs of ions: (a) Cr3+ and CN- (b) Mn2+ and ClO4-
Ch.2 - Atoms, Molecules, and Ions
Chapter 2, Problem 62e
Predict the chemical formulas of the compounds formed by the following pairs of ions: (e) Ti4+ and O2-.
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the charges of the ions: Ti^{4+} has a charge of +4 and O^{2-} has a charge of -2.
Determine the ratio of ions needed to balance the charges. Since Ti^{4+} has a +4 charge and O^{2-} has a -2 charge, you need two O^{2-} ions to balance one Ti^{4+} ion.
Write the chemical formula by placing the cation first followed by the anion. Use subscripts to indicate the number of each ion needed to balance the charges.
The chemical formula is written as TiO_{x}, where x is the number of O^{2-} ions needed to balance the charge of one Ti^{4+} ion.
Since two O^{2-} ions are needed to balance one Ti^{4+} ion, the chemical formula is TiO_{2}.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Ionic Compounds
Ionic compounds are formed when positively charged ions (cations) and negatively charged ions (anions) combine. The overall charge of the compound must be neutral, meaning the total positive charge must balance the total negative charge. Understanding how to combine these ions based on their charges is essential for predicting the correct chemical formula.
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Charge Balance
Charge balance is a fundamental principle in chemistry that dictates how ions combine to form neutral compounds. For example, if a cation has a charge of +4 (like Ti4+) and an anion has a charge of -2 (like O2-), the ratio of ions must be adjusted so that the total positive charge equals the total negative charge, leading to the correct stoichiometry in the formula.
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Empirical Formula
The empirical formula represents the simplest whole-number ratio of the elements in a compound. When predicting the formula for the compound formed by Ti4+ and O2-, one must determine the lowest ratio of titanium to oxygen that results in a neutral compound, which is crucial for accurately expressing the compound's composition.
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