Question

aluminum phosphide is used as a pesticide to protect grains from being eaten by insects and rodents. write the chemical formula of aluminum phosphide. refer to a periodic table and a list of polyatomic ions.

Explanation:

Step1: Determine the ions

Aluminum forms \(Al^{3 +}\) ion (as it loses 3 electrons). Phosphide ion is \(P^{3 -}\) (from phosphorus which gains 3 electrons).

Step2: Apply the criss - cross rule

For ionic compounds, we use the criss - cross rule. The magnitude of the charge of one ion becomes the subscript of the other ion. Here, since the charges \(+ 3\) and \(-3\) have the same magnitude, the subscripts are 1 (which is not written).

Answer:

\(AlP\)