A student wants to write the chemical formula for aluminium sulfate, which contains two aluminium atoms, three sulfur atoms, and twelve oxygen atoms. Which is the correct formula?
Al₂(SO₄)₃
Aluminium sulfate is an ionic compound made up of aluminium ions (Al³⁺) and sulfate ions (SO₄²⁻), and its formula is written by balancing the total positive and negative charges.
To balance the +3 charge of aluminium with the −2 charge of the sulfate group, two Al³⁺ ions combine with three SO₄²⁻ ions, giving the formula Al₂(SO₄)₃.
This structure accounts for two aluminium atoms, three sulfur atoms (one in each sulfate group) and twelve oxygen atoms (four in each of the three sulfate groups), matching the composition described.
Hence, the correct answer is Al₂(SO₄)₃.
Similar Questions
Which of the following mixtures is NOT homogeneous?
Who was the first scientist to use the term 'element'?
Match the compound to its respective mass ratio by elements from the table given below.
Compound Mass Ratio by Elements 1. Water (H2O) A. 1 : 8 2. Carbon dioxide (CO2) B. 14 : 3 3. Ammonia (NH3) C. 3 : 8 4. Sulphur dioxide (SO2) D. 1 : 1 If hydrochloric acid (HCl) reacts with sodium hydroxide (NaOH), which ions from each reactant participate in forming water?
Which of the following most accurately represents a heterogeneous mixture?
Among the following, what has a molecular mass of 44 u?
When 16 g of oxygen is combined with 2 g of hydrogen, 18 g water is formed. This observation is in accordance with:
Methyl orange turns red in:
Which statement correctly describes the valency exhibited by phosphorus?
Why is the reaction flask corked during experiments verifying conservation of mass?
Important Questions from Basic Concepts of Chemistry
- Which law states that a compound always contains the same elements in the same proportion by mass?
- Which of the following is NOT applicable to the Law of Constant Proportion?
- Which of the following best differentiates a mixture from a compound?
- Which of the following is an element?
- Which of the following best defines a heterogeneous mixture?
