Question

The chemical formula for sodium and sulphur contains:
A. two sulphur and one sodium atoms
B. one sulphur and one sodium atoms
C. one sulphur and two sodium atoms
D. two sulphur and two sodium atoms

Answer 1

Hint : We know that Sodium sulphide is an ionic compound or sulphide salt with chemical formula \[N{a_2}S\]. It is a yellow to brick read fused solid or crystalline solid. It has odour of rotten eggs. If it is exposed to moist air it becomes liable to spontaneous heat and may cause ignition of nearly combustible material. It absorbs moisture from the environment. It is a strong alkaline solution in water. In solid state it is found yellow in colour but in solution form it becomes colourless.

Complete step by step solution:
It can be produced by the treatment of sodium hydroxide with hydrogen sulphide sodium hydrosulphide $(NaHS)$. It is further treated with the same quantity of sodium hydroxide yields sodium sulphide. The chemical formula for sodium and sulphur contains one sulphur and two sodium atoms. Sodium atom forms $N{a^ + }$ ion and sulphur atom forms ${S^{ - 2}}$ ion hence both ions form sodium sulphide with chemical formula \[N{a_2}S\] . It has molecular mass equals to $78.04$ gram per mole. So option C is the correct answer to this problem, that is the chemical formula for sodium and sulphur contains one sulphur and two sodium atoms.

Note : Sodium sulphide has various uses. It is used in the pulp in paper industry, textile industry, water treatment and other chemical manufacturing processes including rubber chemicals production, sulphur dyes and in oil recovery from its impurities. It is also used in the production of the hydrogen sulphide gas. It releases hydrogen sulphide when it comes in contact with moist air. It reacts with sulphur and produces polysulphides.