Write the formula unit for the ionic compound formed when the tin(IV) ion and the sulfate ion react. Sn(SO4)2
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct formula unit for the ionic compound formed between the tin(IV) ion and the sulfate ion is Sn(SO₄)₂.
Explanation:
To determine the chemical formula for an ionic compound, we must balance the charges of the cation (the positive ion) and the anion (the negative ion) to form a neutral compound.
- Identify the Cation and its Charge: The cation is the tin(IV) ion. The name “tin(IV)” uses the Stock system, where the Roman numeral (IV) directly indicates the charge of the metal ion. Therefore, the tin(IV) ion has a charge of +4 and is written as Sn⁴⁺.
- Identify the Anion and its Charge: The anion is the sulfate ion. Sulfate is a common polyatomic ion, which is a group of covalently bonded atoms with an overall charge. The chemical formula for the sulfate ion is SO₄, and it has a charge of -2. It is written as SO₄²⁻.
- Balance the Charges: The goal is to combine the Sn⁴⁺ and SO₄²⁻ ions in a ratio that makes the total charge of the compound equal to zero. We need to find the least common multiple of the magnitudes of the charges (4 and 2), which is 4.
- To get a total positive charge of +4, we need one tin(IV) ion: 1 × (+4) = +4.
- To get a total negative charge of -4, we need two sulfate ions: 2 × (-2) = -4.
- The sum of the charges is (+4) + (-4) = 0, resulting in a neutral compound.
- Write the Formula Unit: The formula is written by combining the symbols for the ions and using subscripts to indicate the number of each ion needed. The cation (Sn) is written first, followed by the anion (SO₄).
- We need one Sn⁴⁺ ion, so the subscript for Sn is 1 (which is omitted by convention).
- We need two SO₄²⁻ ions. When more than one polyatomic ion is required, its formula is enclosed in parentheses, and the number needed is written as a subscript outside the parentheses.
Combining these parts gives the final formula: Sn(SO₄)₂.
Based on the multiple-choice question in the image, the correctly derived formula, Sn(SO₄)₂, is not listed as an option. Therefore, the correct answer to select from the provided list would be “none of these choices”
