Predict the chemical formula for gallium sulfide,given the formula of aluminum oxide,Al₂O₃.

Question

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Gallium (Ga) and aluminum (Al) are in the same group in the periodic table, meaning they have similar chemical properties, including valency. Since aluminum oxide is Al₂O₃, indicating aluminum has a valency of 3 (to match oxygen's 2- charge with two Al atoms), gallium will also form a compound with sulfur (which has a similar valency to oxygen) in a ratio that balances the charges. Thus, for every two gallium atoms (each with a +3 charge), three sulfur atoms (each with a -2 charge) are needed to balance the charge, resulting in Ga₂S₃.

Predict the Chemical Formula for Gallium Sulfide,given the Formula of Aluminum