Question

write the empirical formula of at least four binary ionic compounds that could be formed from the following ions: mg²⁺, fe²⁺, cl⁻, s²⁻

Explanation:

Step1: Combine Mg²⁺ and Cl⁻

The charges must balance. One Mg²⁺ has a +2 charge and one Cl⁻ has a - 1 charge. So we need 2 Cl⁻ ions for each Mg²⁺ ion. The formula is MgCl₂.

Step2: Combine Mg²⁺ and S²⁻

The +2 charge of Mg²⁺ and -2 charge of S²⁻ balance each other in a 1:1 ratio. The formula is MgS.

Step3: Combine Fe²⁺ and Cl⁻

One Fe²⁺ has a +2 charge and one Cl⁻ has a -1 charge. We need 2 Cl⁻ ions for each Fe²⁺ ion. The formula is FeCl₂.

Step4: Combine Fe²⁺ and S²⁻

The +2 charge of Fe²⁺ and -2 charge of S²⁻ balance in a 1:1 ratio. The formula is FeS.

Answer:

MgCl₂, MgS, FeCl₂, FeS