<span>If we dissolve 25 grams of salt in 251 grams of water, then the mass of the resulting solution would be 276 grams. This is in accordance to the Law of Conservation of mass which states that mass cannot be created or destroyed. So, the total mass that goes in a certain process should be the same that would would go out the process. In this case, we have two streams that goes in and one stream going out which would be the solution. The two streams going in should be equal to the stream going out.
Overall mass balance:
25 grams salt + 251 grams water = mass of solution
mass of solution = 276 grams</span>
Blank #1: Polyatomic
Blank #2: 2 (see explanation)
Blank #3: 1 (see explanation)
<h3>Explanation</h3>
Both the ammonium ion and the sulfate ion contain more than one atom in each ion. The two species are thus <em>polyatomic</em>. The chloride ion , for example, is <em>monoatomic</em>.
Superscripts above formulae of the ions indicate their charge. Each ammonium ion carries a positive one (+1) charge. Each sulfate ion carries a charge of negative two (-2).
Ammonium sulfate is an ionic compound. A sample of this compound contain myriads of ammonium ions and sulfate ions. The ions are packed in three-dimensional lattices. Thus unlike water, ammonium sulfate does not exist as molecules in nature.
Assuming that the second and third blanks refers to a formula unit, rather than a molecule, of ammonium sulfate. The empirical formula of ammonium sulfate gives the minimum whole-number ratio between the two ions in a sample.
Charges shall balance between the two ions. Ammonium ions are of charge +1. Sulfate ions are of charge -2. The sample shall thus contain two ammonium ions for every one sulfate ion.
The empirical formula of ammonium sulfate is therefore .
There are thus two ammonium ions and one sulfate ion in each formula unit of ammonium sulfate.
Hi,
The answer should be letter C.
Hope this helps!