What’s the formula for the ionic compound composed of cesium and nitride
The correct answer and explanation is:
The ionic compound formed between cesium (Cs) and nitride (N³⁻) is cesium nitride, and its chemical formula is Cs₃N.
Explanation:
When cesium (Cs) reacts with nitrogen (N), cesium loses one electron to form a Cs⁺ ion, and nitrogen gains three electrons to form an N³⁻ ion. Cesium is an alkali metal and typically has a +1 charge when it forms ionic bonds, while nitrogen, as a nonmetal, forms a nitride ion with a -3 charge.
To determine the formula of the ionic compound, the charges of the ions must balance to make the compound electrically neutral. This is where the stoichiometry comes in:
- Cesium ion (Cs⁺) has a +1 charge.
- Nitride ion (N³⁻) has a -3 charge.
To balance the charges, we need three cesium ions (each with a +1 charge) to neutralize one nitride ion (with a -3 charge). Therefore, three cesium ions are needed to combine with one nitride ion, resulting in the formula Cs₃N.
The principle behind this is the charge balance rule, which states that the total positive charge must equal the total negative charge in an ionic compound. In this case, three Cs⁺ ions (3 × +1 = +3) balance the -3 charge of one N³⁻ ion, making the compound neutral overall.
Ionic compounds like cesium nitride are formed through the transfer of electrons from a metal (cesium) to a nonmetal (nitrogen), resulting in the formation of oppositely charged ions that attract each other due to electrostatic forces. This strong ionic bond between the ions forms the stable ionic compound.