If Carbonate ion is (CO3^2-) how do you get the 3 in the formula??

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If Carbonate ion is (CO3^2-) how do you get the 3 in the formula??

I understand that the 2 represents the amount of valence in the formula. But what does the 3 represent?

Sorry the 3 is meant to be small but there are not subscripts in here.
Thanks in advance.

2006-11-29 19:45:35 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry

3 answers

the number 3 means you have three oxygens in the formula of carbonate ion. it means if you check molecular weight it is
MW = 1C + 3O = 12+3*16 = 60

2006-11-29 20:48:45 · answer #1 · answered by maussy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋

3 is the number of O atom

2006-11-29 19:53:20 · answer #2 · answered by James Chan 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋

B. Fe2(CO3)3

2016-05-23 04:23:34 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋