What is the formula of the ionic compound $\operatorname{tin}( IV )$ bromide?
A. $SnBr _2$
B. $SnBr _4$
C. $Sn _4 Br$
D. $SnB _4$
Answer (1)
Determine the charge of the tin ion: Tin(IV) has a +4 charge ( S n 4 + ).
Determine the charge of the bromide ion: Bromide has a -1 charge ( B r − ).
Balance the charges: Four bromide ions are needed to balance the +4 charge of the tin ion.
Write the formula: The formula for tin(IV) bromide is S n B r 4 .
Explanation
Problem Analysis The problem asks for the chemical formula of tin(IV) bromide. We need to use the charges of the ions to determine the correct subscripts in the formula.
Identify the Ions and Their Charges Tin(IV) indicates that tin (Sn) has a +4 charge, written as S n 4 + . Bromide (Br) is a halogen and has a -1 charge, written as B r − .
Balance the Charges To form a neutral compound, the total positive charge must equal the total negative charge. We need four bromide ions ( B r − ) to balance the +4 charge of the tin ion ( S n 4 + ). Therefore, the formula is S n B r 4 .
Final Answer The formula for tin(IV) bromide is S n B r 4 .
Examples
Understanding ionic compound formulas is crucial in various fields. For instance, in environmental science, knowing the formula of lead(II) sulfate ( P b S O 4 ) helps in assessing the solubility and toxicity of lead in contaminated water. In medicine, the formula of silver nitrate ( A g N O 3 ) is important for understanding its use as an antiseptic. In materials science, the formula of titanium dioxide ( T i O 2 ) is essential for developing sunscreen and coatings. These examples highlight the practical applications of mastering ionic compound nomenclature and formula determination.
