Look the following reaction:
ZnSO4+2NaOH-----> Na2SO4+Zn(OH)2
In the above reaction ,look at the products:
here,why "2" comes after Na and before SO4(Na2SO4)
and "3" comes after "Zn(OH)2"?
2006-08-18 08:33:47 · 8 answers · asked by star123 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Sorry,i mistake for "Zn(OH)".
Why "2" comes after "Zn(OH)"
2006-08-18 08:36:39 · update #1
The 2 in Na2SO4 indicates that you have two atoms of sodium in the sodium sulfate.
That is because the valance state for Sodium is 1 (ONE) and sulfate carries 2 (- - Charges). Thus to satisfy we need 2 after sodium. Remember that 2 is always written as subscript.
Now Zn(OH)2 means that you have two hydroxide ions, OH (- -), In order to satisfy the bi-valant Zinc we need two (2) Hydroxyl ions. Again remember that 2 written after OH is always as a subscript.
I do not know where you are getting the (3) from !? If someone has written there a (3) then it would be a miss-print or an out-right error.
Hope this helps.
2006-08-18 09:04:54 · answer #1 · answered by Yadu M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The 2 in Na2SO4 indicates that you have two atoms of sodium in the sodium sulfate. Also the 4 indicates you have 4 atoms of oxygen. The 2 and the 4 are normally written as subscripts but Yahoo Answer doesn't have that capability.
And the 2 in Zn(OH)2 means that you have two hydroxide ions, OH, attached to the zinc atom. Again the 2 here is a subscript.
But notice that the 2 in front of (to the left of) NaOH means that you have two molecules of sodium hydroxide. And notice that the 2 here is NOT a subscript.
2006-08-18 15:53:36 · answer #2 · answered by Alan Turing 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The formula of ionic compounds depends on the charges of the ions. Na+ is +1 so it takes 2 of the Na+ for each sulfate ion because the sulfate ion is -2. Zn+2 requires 2OH- ions to give it a neutral charge also.
2006-08-18 19:15:29 · answer #3 · answered by Richard 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
in this equation you have 4 different compounds
1- reactants ZnSO4 +2 NaOH
2- Products Na2SO4 + Zn(OH)2
Each compound has positive ion and negative ion as follow
Positives,, Zn ,Na (reactant)+(products)
Negatives ,, SO4 ,, OH (reactant)+(product)
Each ion has valancy Zn =2 ,,,Na =1,,,SO4 =2,,,OH=1 and if we have equal valancies for positive and negative in the same compound no need to write it
2006-08-18 16:02:11 · answer #4 · answered by source_of_love_69 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
cuz d valency of (OH) ion is -1 and of (Zn) ion is +1 so when u form a compound u must balance the valency. here one (OH) ion will fulfill one (Zn) thus Zn(OH).
similarly, the d valency of (Na) is +1 but the valency of SO4 is -2 thus 2 ions of Na is required to fufill the valency of SO4.
thats y.
2006-08-18 16:10:55 · answer #5 · answered by ani 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are both supposed to be subscripts indicating the number (OH) and Na atoms/ions.
2006-08-18 15:54:12 · answer #6 · answered by jamie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
becouse it OH one group reacte is OH not as o & H same thing for SO4
2006-08-21 22:26:40 · answer #7 · answered by maherrashdan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dude cmon...you need to get yourself a beer and plan a vacation.
2006-08-18 15:40:49 · answer #8 · answered by ChiSox2006 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋