The formula for a lutetium carbonate compound is Lu₂(CO₃)₃. What would be the formula for a lutetium nitrate compound given that the charge of lutetium is the same in both compounds?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

To write the formula of a compound, we need to balance the charges of the ions involved. The given compound has carbonate (CO3^2-) as the anion, and therefore the charge on the cation (lutetium, Lu) must be +3 to balance the overall charge of the compound, which is 0. Similarly, for a nitrate (NO3^-) compound, the charge on Lu must be +3 to balance the negative charge from the nitrate ion. Therefore, the formula of the lutetium nitrate compound will be Lu(NO3)3. Since the subscript for nitrate is 3, we don't need to indicate it in the formula. The correct choice is C, which has the correct formula for lutetium nitrate.

The Formula for a Lutetium Carbonate Compound Is Lu2(CO3)3

The Formula for a Lutetium Carbonate Compound Is Lu₂(CO₃)₃