Write the steps in deducing the chemical formulae of the following compounds.
Sodium sulphate, potassium nitrate, ferric phosphate, calcium oxide, aluminium hydroxide
Solution
a.Sodium sulphate :
Step 1 : Write the symbols of the radicals.
Na SO4
Step 2 : Write the valency below the respective radical.
Na SO4
1 2
Step 3 : Cross-multiply symbols of radicals with their respective valency.
Step 4 : Write down the chemical formula of the compound.
Na2SO4
b. Potassium nitrate :
Step 1 : Write the symbols of the radicals
K NO3
Step 2 : Write the valency below the respective radical.
K NO3
1 1
Step 3 : Cross-multiply symbols of radicals with their respective valency.
Step 4 : Write down the chemical formula of the compound.
KNO3
c. Ferric phosphate :
Step 1 : Write the symbols of the radicals
Fe PO4
Step 2 : Write the valency below the respective radical.
Fe PO4
3 3
Step 3 : Cross-multiply symbols of radicals with their respective valency.
Step 4 : Write down the chemical formula of the compound.
FePO4
d. Calcium oxide :
Step 1 : Write the symbols of the radicals
Ca O
Step 2 : Write the valency below the respective radical.
Ca O
2 2
Step 3 : Cross-multiply symbols of radicals with their respective valency.
Step 4 : Write down the chemical formula of the compound.
CaO
e. Aluminium hydroxide :
Step 1 : Write the symbols of the radicals
Al OH
Step 2 : Write the valency below the respective radical.
Al OH
3 1
Step 3 : Cross-multiply symbols of radicals with their respective valency.
Step 4 : Write down the chemical formula of the compound.
Al(OH)3
