Question

for each problem, write out the formula compound. make sure you simplify when needed.

1. na & f
2. mg & o
3. li & n
4. calcium and fluorine
5. aluminum and fluorine
6. sodium and nitrogen

Explanation:

Step1: Determine the charges

• Sodium (Na) has a charge of \(+1\), fluorine (F) has a charge of \(-1\).
• Magnesium (Mg) has a charge of \(+2\), oxygen (O) has a charge of \(-2\).
• Lithium (Li) has a charge of \(+1\), nitrogen (N) has a charge of \(-3\).
• Calcium (Ca) has a charge of \(+2\), fluorine (F) has a charge of \(-1\).
• Aluminum (Al) has a charge of \(+3\), fluorine (F) has a charge of \(-1\).
• Sodium (Na) has a charge of \(+1\), nitrogen (N) has a charge of \(-3\).

Step2: Cross - multiply the charges

• For Na and F: \(Na^+F^-\), formula is \(NaF\).
• For Mg and O: \(Mg^{2 +}O^{2-}\), formula is \(MgO\).
• For Li and N: \(Li^+N^{3 -}\), cross - multiply charges (\(1\times3\) and \(3\times1\)), formula is \(Li_3N\).
• For Ca and F: \(Ca^{2+}F^-\), cross - multiply charges (\(1\times2\) and \(2\times1\)), formula is \(CaF_2\).
• For Al and F: \(Al^{3 +}F^-\), cross - multiply charges (\(1\times3\) and \(3\times1\)), formula is \(AlF_3\).
• For Na and N: \(Na^+N^{3 -}\), cross - multiply charges (\(3\times1\) and \(1\times3\)), formula is \(Na_3N\).

Answer:

1. \(NaF\)
2. \(MgO\)
3. \(Li_3N\)
4. \(CaF_2\)
5. \(AlF_3\)
6. \(Na_3N\)