What is the formula of Zinc Nitrate?

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Multiple Choice

What is the formula of Zinc Nitrate?

Explanation:
Balancing charges to form a neutral ionic compound when a metal cation pairs with a polyatomic anion. Nitrate carries a -1 charge (NO3−), and zinc typically forms a +2 ion (Zn2+). To balance the +2 with -1 charges, you need two nitrate ions for each zinc ion, giving Zn2+ with 2×NO3−. This is written as Zn(NO3)2, with the parentheses indicating two nitrate units. The other forms wouldn’t balance to zero charge: one nitrate would leave a net positive charge, and three nitrates would require a different metal charge to balance. So the correct formula is Zn(NO3)2.

Balancing charges to form a neutral ionic compound when a metal cation pairs with a polyatomic anion.

Nitrate carries a -1 charge (NO3−), and zinc typically forms a +2 ion (Zn2+). To balance the +2 with -1 charges, you need two nitrate ions for each zinc ion, giving Zn2+ with 2×NO3−. This is written as Zn(NO3)2, with the parentheses indicating two nitrate units.

The other forms wouldn’t balance to zero charge: one nitrate would leave a net positive charge, and three nitrates would require a different metal charge to balance. So the correct formula is Zn(NO3)2.

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