What is the correct formula for the ionic compound that would result from the combination of sodium and phosphorus?
A. $Na _3 Ph$
B. $S _3 P$
C. $Na _3 P$
D. $NaP _3$
Answer (2)
Sodium forms a +1 ion ( N a + ), and phosphorus forms a -3 ion ( P 3 − ).
Balance the charges to achieve a neutral compound.
Three sodium ions are needed to balance one phosphorus ion.
The correct formula is N a 3 P .
Explanation
Determine the Ion Charges Sodium (Na) is in Group 1 of the periodic table, so it readily loses one electron to form a +1 ion ( N a + ). Phosphorus (P) is in Group 15, so it gains three electrons to form a -3 ion ( P 3 − ).
Balance the Charges To form a neutral compound, the total positive charge must equal the total negative charge. We need to find the smallest whole numbers of N a + and P 3 − that will balance the charges. The least common multiple of +1 and -3 is 3. Therefore, we need three N a + ions to balance one P 3 − ion.
Write the Chemical Formula The chemical formula is written with the cation first, followed by the anion. The number of each ion is indicated by a subscript. In this case, we have three sodium ions ( N a ) and one phosphorus ion ( P ). Therefore, the correct formula is N a 3 P .
Final Answer The correct formula for the ionic compound formed from sodium and phosphorus is N a 3 P .
Examples
Ionic compounds like N a 3 P are crucial in various applications. For instance, understanding how sodium and phosphorus combine helps in designing new materials with specific electrical properties. In agriculture, phosphorus compounds are essential components of fertilizers that promote plant growth. Similarly, in materials science, controlling the ionic interactions can lead to the creation of novel semiconductors or battery materials. By understanding the basic principles of ionic bonding, we can tailor the properties of materials for specific applications.
The correct formula for the ionic compound formed from sodium and phosphorus is N a 3 P , which corresponds to option C. Sodium forms a +1 ion, while phosphorus forms a -3 ion, necessitating three sodium ions to balance one phosphorus ion. Thus, the overall formula is written as N a 3 P .
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