Question

what is the formula for potassium sulfate? what is the formula for aluminum carbonate? what is the formula for barium phosphate?

Explanation:

Step1: Determine ion charges

Potassium has a +1 charge ($K^+$) and sulfate has a -2 charge ($SO_4^{2 -}$). To balance the charges, we need 2 potassium ions for 1 sulfate ion.

Step2: Write formula

The formula for potassium sulfate is $K_2SO_4$.

Step3: Determine ion charges for aluminum carbonate

Aluminum has a +3 charge ($Al^{3+}$) and carbonate has a -2 charge ($CO_3^{2 -}$). The least - common multiple of 3 and 2 is 6. So we need 2 aluminum ions and 3 carbonate ions to balance the charges.

Step4: Write formula

The formula for aluminum carbonate is $Al_2(CO_3)_3$.

Step5: Determine ion charges for barium phosphate

Barium has a +2 charge ($Ba^{2+}$) and phosphate has a -3 charge ($PO_4^{3 -}$). The least - common multiple of 2 and 3 is 6. So we need 3 barium ions and 2 phosphate ions to balance the charges.

Step6: Write formula

The formula for barium phosphate is $Ba_3(PO_4)_2$.

Answer:

Potassium sulfate: $K_2SO_4$
Aluminum carbonate: $Al_2(CO_3)_3$
Barium phosphate: $Ba_3(PO_4)_2$