explain why the ions in sodium hydroxide combine to give the formula NaOH but the ions in beryllium hydroixide combine to give the formula Be(OH)2.
The question was in my practice test at school. I got the question wrong coz I clearly I dont know how to answer it. So if someone can give me an explaination? or some points that would help me answer the question?
thanks
The question was in my practice test at school. I got the question wrong coz I clearly I dont know how to answer it. So if someone can give me an explaination? or some points that would help me answer the question?
thanks
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Hydroxide ions, OH- have a charge of -1
Sodium is a group 1 element with 1 valence electron and will therefore form an ion with a charge of +1 as it needs to lose 1 valence electron to become stable.
Beryllium is a group 2 element with 2 valence electrons and in order to end up with a full outer energy level it needs to lose 2 valence electrons and will therefore have a charge of +2.
Compounds have to end up overall neutral.
Therefore NaOH needs 1 ion of each because the +1 charge in Na+ equals the charge in the hydroxide ion, and Be(OH)2 needs 1 beryllium ion and 2 hydroxide ions because beryllium’s charge of +2 will equal the charge of 2 hydroxide ions.
:)
Sodium is a group 1 element with 1 valence electron and will therefore form an ion with a charge of +1 as it needs to lose 1 valence electron to become stable.
Beryllium is a group 2 element with 2 valence electrons and in order to end up with a full outer energy level it needs to lose 2 valence electrons and will therefore have a charge of +2.
Compounds have to end up overall neutral.
Therefore NaOH needs 1 ion of each because the +1 charge in Na+ equals the charge in the hydroxide ion, and Be(OH)2 needs 1 beryllium ion and 2 hydroxide ions because beryllium’s charge of +2 will equal the charge of 2 hydroxide ions.
:)