Question

The actual formula of sodium chloride is:
A.NaCl
B.${ Na }^{ + }{ Cl }^{ - }$
C.${ ({ Na }^{ + }{ Cl }^{ - }) }_{ n }$
D.${ Na }_{ n }{ Cl }_{ n }$

Answer 1

Hint: Recall the structure of NaCl crystal from the chapter solid state.

Complete step by step answer:

• • Sodium Chloride is an ionic compound. Since sodium chloride is not a molecule it has an empirical formula, not a molecular formula. The empirical formula of a chemical compound is the simplest positive integer ratio of atoms present in a compound, whereas, A chemical formula that gives the total number of atoms of each element in each molecule of a substance.

• Sodium Chloride is made of a regular arrangement of anions and cations. There is no limit to how big this salt can be and there is no “clear end" to the lattice. Thus sodium chloride is not a molecule.

• We can have the empirical formula 1:1 ratio of the different elements.

• For every sodium ion there is a chloride ion available. There is no limit on how large this salt can be and there is no definite end of the lattice.

• So the empirical formula for sodium chloride is ${ ({ Na }^{ + }{ Cl }^{ - }) }_{ n }$

Correct answer is option C.

Additional information: Sodium chloride is a simple molecule better known as table salt. It is found in the body of many organisms and is used to transport many different nutrients through the blood to the tissues and organs of the body. It is also used by the body to regulate blood pressure.

Note: Empirical Formula: Lowest whole number ratio of the elements in a compound.
Molecular Formula: Actual whole number ratio of the elements in a compound. Molecular Formula = n(Empirical Formula)
Where n is an integer multiple.