Question

Decide whether each pair of elements in the table below will form an ionic compound. If they will, write the empirical formula of the compound formed in the
space provided.
element #1 element #2
sulfur
magnesium
sulfur
cesium
cesium
fluorine
magnesium
strontium
Forms ionic
compound?
yes
yes
yes
O yes
no
no
no
no
empirical formula of
ionic compound
0
0
0
0
Do
5

Answer 1

Answer:

1.) Yes, Cs₂S

2.) Yes, MgF₂

3.) Yes, MgS

4.) No

Explanation:

Nonmetals are located on the right side of the periodic table in the p-block. It is safe to assume that all the other elements are metals.

Ionic bonds form between a metal and nonmetal. When determining the empirical formula, the cation (the element losing electrons) is written before the anion (the element gaining electrons). The charges can be balanced by modifying the quantity of element.

1.) Cs₂S

  -----> Cesium = metal and Sulfur = nonmetal

  -----> Cesium = Cs⁺

  -----> Sulfur = S²⁻

2.) MgF₂

  -----> Magnesium = metal and Fluorine = nonmetal

  -----> Magnesium = Mg²⁺

  -----> Fluorine = F⁻

3.) MgS

  -----> Magnesium = metal and Sulfur = nonmetal

  -----> Magnesium = Mg²⁺

  -----> Sulfur = S²⁻

4.) Both cesium and strontium are metals