Question

What does the 4 mean in the formula 4Na2SO3?

Answer 1

Answer: 4 moles of $Na_2SO_3$

Explanation: The given compound is an ionic compound formed by combination of sodium as a metal and sulphite as polyatomic anion.

It is formed by the combination of $Na^+$ and $SO_3^{2-}$.

Thus 1 mole of  $Na_2SO_3$ contains 2 atoms of sodium, 1 atom of sulphur and 3 atoms of oxygen.

The 4 represents that 4 moles of  $Na_2SO_3$ are present which contains 8 atoms of sodium, 4 atom of sulphur and 12 atoms of oxygen.

Answer 2

Answer:

The '4' in front of sodium sulfate formula indicates that there are four molecules of sodium sulfate.

Explanation:

The 4 in formula $4Na_2SO_4$ is the coefficient of the compound.this 4 denoted that there are 4 molecules of sodium sulfate.

Number of sodium ion in single molecule = 2

Number of sulfate ions in single molecules = 1

Number of sodium ion in four molecule = 2 × 4 = 8

Number of sulfate ions in four molecules = 1 × 4 = 4