Consider the compound SrCO3: What is the name of the cation in this compound? What is the charge on the cation in this compound? What is the name of the anion in this compound? What is the charge on the anion in this compound?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answers:
- Name of the cation: Strontium
- Charge on the cation: +2
- Name of the anion: Carbonate
- Charge on the anion: –2
Explanation:
The compound SrCO₃ is composed of two types of ions: a cation (Sr²⁺) and an anion (CO₃²⁻). To understand this compound, we start by identifying each ion.
Strontium (Sr) is an alkaline earth metal found in Group 2 of the periodic table. Elements in this group typically lose two electrons to form cations with a +2 charge. Therefore, in ionic compounds, strontium commonly forms the Sr²⁺ ion. This positively charged ion is called the strontium ion and is the cation in SrCO₃.
The other part of the compound, CO₃, is a polyatomic ion known as carbonate. It consists of one carbon atom covalently bonded to three oxygen atoms and carries an overall charge of –2. The carbonate ion is one of the common polyatomic ions found in many ionic compounds.
For the compound SrCO₃ to be electrically neutral, the charges of the cation and anion must balance. Since the strontium ion has a +2 charge and the carbonate ion has a –2 charge, one of each ion combines in a one-to-one ratio to form a neutral compound. The formula SrCO₃ reflects this ratio: one Sr²⁺ ion and one CO₃²⁻ ion.
This compound is known as strontium carbonate, and it is commonly found in nature as the mineral strontianite. Strontium carbonate is often used in fireworks, ceramics, and as a source of strontium in various chemical applications.
Understanding the charges and names of ions is essential in writing correct formulas and naming ionic compounds, especially when dealing with elements that form predictable charges like those in Group 2 and well-known polyatomic ions.
