Chapter 18, Problem 17STP

To determine

To identify: the information given in any chemical formula.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

A chemical formula consists of two elements or more. Compounds can be of two types such as ionic compound and covalent compound.

A chemical formula provides the information about the atoms present in its formula by symbolic representation, the ratio of the various atoms of the elements in the chemical formula, and the spatial arrangement of the formed atom and type of bond. There are two types of compounds namely ionic and covalent compounds. The first atom is positively charged and the second one is negatively charged in an ionic compound. Covalent compounds are formed by two nonmetals and they may or may not have a spatial charge.

Conclusion:

Hence, symbolic representation, types of bonds formed, spatial arrangements of an atom can be known from a chemical formula.