Write a formula for each molecular compound. (a) carbon monoxide (b) disulfur tetrafluoride (c) dichlorine monoxide (d) phosphorus pentafluoride (e) boron tribromide (f) diphosphorus pentasulfide

In chemistry, the molecular compound formula represents the number and type of atoms present in a single molecule of a compound. Understanding how to write these formulas is foundational in chemistry, as formulas serve as a shorthand to convey detailed information about the substance. For example, the formula for carbon monoxide is determined by identifying that 'carbon' signifies one carbon atom (C) and 'monoxide' implies one oxygen atom (O), resulting in the molecule's chemical formula of CO. Similarly, the formula for disulfur tetrafluoride is identified using the prefixes 'di-' indicating two atoms of sulfur (S), and 'tetra-' specifying four atoms of fluorine (F), leading to the chemical formula S2F4.

It is crucial to note that the absence of a prefix typically means there is only one atom of that element, particularly when listing the first element of a two-element molecular compound. Therefore, the molecular formula not only identifies the involved elements but also communicates precise quantitative information about the proportions of those elements.

Chemical prefixes play a critical role in the nomenclature of compounds. They provide an efficient way to indicate the number of atoms of each element in a molecular compound. The standard set of prefixes includes 'mono-' for 1, 'di-' for 2, 'tri-' for 3, 'tetra-' for 4, 'penta-' for 5, and so on.

When naming compounds, these prefixes are attached to the elements to demonstrate their count within the molecule. For instance, 'diphosphorus pentasulfide' employs the prefix 'di-' to indicate the presence of two phosphorus (P) atoms and 'penta-' for indicating five sulfur (S) atoms, resulting in the formula P2S5. Recognizing these prefixes is imperative for both naming and understanding the composition of molecular compounds. It's also worth mentioning that the prefix 'mono-' is often omitted for the first element, to simplify the compound name.

The molecular composition of a substance describes the elements that make up a molecule and the ratio in which these atoms are present. It signifies the types of atoms and their quantities in relation to one another, which determines the molecular properties and behavior of the substance. This composition is conveyed succinctly in the molecular formula.

For example, the compound dichlorine monoxide consists of two chlorine (Cl) atoms and one oxygen (O) atom, as indicated by the 'di-' prefix before chlorine and 'monoxide' referring to one oxygen. Hence, its molecular composition can be concisely represented by the formula Cl2O. Understanding molecular composition is not only fundamental for writing and interpreting chemical formulas but also for comprehending the physical and chemical characteristics of compounds, their reactions, and their roles in various scientific contexts.