Question

part a
write a chemical formula for a compound that contains two oxygen atoms to every one chlorine atom.
cl₂o
cl(o₂)₂
2clo
clo₂

Explanation:

Chemical formula represents the ratio of atoms in a compound. The problem states two oxygen atoms for every one chlorine atom. In \(ClO_2\), there is 1 chlorine (\(Cl\)) atom and 2 oxygen (\(O\)) atoms. \(Cl_2O\) has 2 \(Cl\) and 1 \(O\). \(Cl(O_2)_2\) is not a standard way (as \(O_2\) is a diatomic molecule but not used like this in simple compound formula). \(2ClO\) represents two molecules of \(ClO\) (each with 1 \(Cl\) and 1 \(O\)).

Answer:

\(\text{ClO}_2\)