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Chapter 15: Problem 57

Consider the ammonium ion. (a) Write the chemical formula for this ion, complete with its charge. (b) Write the formula for ammonium chloride. (c) Ammonium chloride is an electrolyte. Explain why this is so.

Short Answer

Expert verified
(a) The chemical formula for the ammonium ion is \(NH_4^+\). (b) The formula for ammonium chloride is \(NH_4Cl\). (c) Ammonium chloride is an electrolyte because it dissociates into ions (\(NH_4^+\) and \(Cl^-\)) when dissolved in water, which allows the flow of electric current.

Step by step solution

01

(Part (a): Chemical Formula for Ammonium Ion)

The ammonium ion consists of one nitrogen atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms, with a positive charge. The chemical symbol for nitrogen is 'N' and for hydrogen is 'H'. Since the ion has a positive charge, we add a '+' sign as a superscript. Therefore, the chemical formula for the ammonium ion is \(NH_4^+\).
02

(Part (b): Chemical Formula for Ammonium Chloride)

Ammonium chloride is a compound formed from the ammonium ion, \(NH_4^+\), and the chloride ion, \(Cl^-\). Since the charges of the ions are equal and opposite (+1 and -1), they balance each other out. Therefore, the formula for ammonium chloride is \(NH_4Cl\).
03

(Part (c): Ammonium Chloride as an Electrolyte)

An electrolyte is a substance that dissociates into ions when dissolved in a solvent, usually water, and conducts electricity. When ammonium chloride dissolves in water, it dissociates into its constituent ions, the ammonium ion, \(NH_4^+\), and the chloride ion, \(Cl^-\). These ions are free to move in the solution, allowing the flow of electric current. Thus, ammonium chloride is an electrolyte because it dissociates into ions which can conduct electricity when dissolved in water.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Based solely on concentrations, when is an aqueous solution judged to be acidic? Give two answers to this question.

What is the general recipe for making a buffer? Explain the function of each ingredient.

Without using a calculator, what is the base- 10 logarithm of \(10^{0}\) ? Of 1?

The equilibrium constant for the reaction \(\mathrm{NH}_{4}^{+}(a q)+\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(l) \rightleftarrows \mathrm{NH}_{3}(a q)+\mathrm{H}_{3} \mathrm{O}^{+}(a q)\) is \(5.6 \times 10^{-10}\) (a) Is a solution of ammonium ion very acidic or only slightly acidic? (b) Is water acting as an acid or a base according to the Bronsted-I owry definition? Explain.

How does a buffer "kill" added strong acid?
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