What is the formula of the ionic compound iron (III) fluoride?
A. [tex]Fe _3 F[/tex]
B. FeF
C. [tex]Fe _3 F_3[/tex]
D. [tex]FeF _3[/tex]
Answer (1)
Identify the charges of the ions: Iron (III) is F e 3 + and Fluoride is F − .
Balance the charges: Three fluoride ions ( 3 F − ) are needed to balance one iron (III) ion ( F e 3 + ).
Write the chemical formula: The formula is F e F 3 , indicating one iron ion and three fluoride ions.
The chemical formula for iron (III) fluoride is F e F 3 .
Explanation
Understanding the Problem The problem asks us to determine the chemical formula for iron (III) fluoride. We need to understand the charges of the ions involved and how they combine to form a neutral compound.
Identifying the Ions and Their Charges Iron (III) means that the iron ion has a +3 charge, represented as F e 3 + . Fluoride is the fluorine ion, which has a -1 charge, represented as F − .
Balancing the Charges To form a neutral compound, the total positive charge must equal the total negative charge. Since iron has a +3 charge and fluorine has a -1 charge, we need three fluoride ions to balance the charge of one iron ion. This gives us F e 3 + and 3 F − , resulting in a neutral compound.
Determining the Chemical Formula Therefore, the chemical formula for iron (III) fluoride is F e F 3 . This indicates one iron ion and three fluoride ions.
Examples
In everyday life, understanding ionic compounds like iron (III) fluoride is crucial in various applications. For instance, iron compounds are used in water treatment to remove impurities. Knowing the correct chemical formula helps in calculating the precise amounts needed for effective treatment. Similarly, in materials science, the properties of compounds are directly related to their chemical formulas, guiding the development of new materials with specific characteristics. This knowledge also aids in understanding the behavior of minerals and compounds in environmental and industrial contexts.
