What is the formula for cobalt(II) nitride?
$Co ^{+2}$
$N ^{-3}$
$CO _3 N_2$
$CO _2 N$
$CO _2 N_3$
$C _3 N_2$
Answer (1)
Determine the charges of cobalt ( C o + 2 ) and nitrogen ( N − 3 ).
Find the least common multiple (LCM) of the absolute values of the charges (2 and 3), which is 6.
Divide the LCM by the absolute value of each charge to find the number of atoms: Cobalt = 2 6 = 3 , Nitrogen = 3 6 = 2 .
Write the chemical formula: C o 3 N 2
Explanation
Understanding the Problem We are asked to determine the chemical formula for cobalt(II) nitride given the charges of cobalt ( C o + 2 ) and nitrogen ( N − 3 ). The goal is to find a neutral compound by balancing the charges.
Finding the Least Common Multiple To balance the charges, we need to find the least common multiple (LCM) of the absolute values of the charges, which are 2 and 3. The LCM of 2 and 3 is 6.
Calculating the Number of Atoms Now, we divide the LCM by the absolute value of the charge of each ion to find the number of atoms of that ion in the formula.
Number of cobalt atoms: 2 6 = 3
Number of nitrogen atoms: 3 6 = 2
Determining the Chemical Formula Therefore, the chemical formula for cobalt(II) nitride is C o 3 N 2 .
Final Answer The chemical formula for cobalt(II) nitride is C o 3 N 2 .
Examples
Understanding chemical formulas like cobalt(II) nitride is crucial in various real-world applications. For example, in materials science, knowing the precise composition of compounds helps in designing new materials with specific properties. In agriculture, understanding the composition of fertilizers ensures that plants receive the necessary nutrients in the correct proportions. In medicine, the accurate formulation of drugs is essential for their effectiveness and safety. Chemical formulas are the foundation for understanding the behavior and interactions of matter around us.
