Knowledge Flow

Language of Chemistry - Exercise 1(A)

Question 1
What is a symbol? What information does it convey?

Solution 1
A symbol is the short form which stands for the atom of a specific element or the
abbreviations used for the names of elements.
i. It represents a specific element.
ii. It represents one atom of an element.
iii. A symbol represents how many atoms are present in its one gram (gm) atom.
iv. It represents the number of times an atom is heavier than one atomic mass unit (amu)
taken as a standard.

Question 2
Why is the symbol S for sulphur, but Na for sodium and Si for silicon?

Solution 2
In most cases, the first letter of the name of the element is taken as the symbol for that
element and written in capitals (e.g. for sulphur, we use the symbol S). In cases where
the first letter has already been adopted, we use a symbol derived from the Latin name
(e.g. for sodium/Natrium, we use the symbol Na). In some cases, we use the initial
letter in capital together with a small letter from its name (e.g. for silicon, we use the
symbol Si).

Question 3
 Write the full form of IUPAC. Name the elements represented by the following
symbols:
Au, Pb, Sn, Hg

Solution 3
The full form of IUPAC is International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry.
Names of the elements:
Au - Gold
Pb - Lead
Sn - Tin
Hg - Mercury

Question 4
If the symbol for Cobalt, Co, were written as CO, what would be wrong with it?

Solution 4
Co stands for Cobalt. If we write CO, then it would mean that it is a compound
containing two non-metal ions, i.e. carbon and oxygen, which forms carbon monoxide
gas.

Question 5(d)
2H2

Solution 5(d)
2H2 stands for two molecules of hydrogen.

Question 6
What is meant by atomicity? Name the diatomic element.

Solution 6
The number of atoms of an element that join together to form a molecule of that
element is known as its atomicity.
Diatomic molecules: H2, O2, N2, Cl2

Question 7(a)
Explain the terms 'valency' and 'variable valency'.

Solution 7(a)
i. Valency of Na is +1 because it can lose one electron.
ii. Valency of O is -2 because it can accept two electrons.

Variable valency: It is the combining capacity of an element in which the metal loses
more electrons from a shell next to a valence shell in addition to electrons of the valence
shell.
 Question 7(b)
How are the elements with variable valency named? Explain with an example.

Solution 7(b)
If an element exhibits two different positive valencies, then

i. for the lower valency, use the suffix -OUS at the end of the name of the metal
ii. for the higher valency, use the suffix -IC at the end of the name of the metal.

Example:

Element Lower valency Higher valency

Ferrum (Iron) Ferrous (Fe2+) Ferric (Fe3+)

Question 8
Give the formula and valency of:
a. aluminate ………………… .
b. chromate ………….…….. .
c. aluminium ………………. .
d. cupric ………………… .

Solution 8

Name Formula Valency

a. Aluminate AlO2 -2
b. Chromate CrO4 -2
c. Aluminium Al +3
d. Cupric Cu +2

Question 9.b
What is the significance of formula?

Solution 9.b
Significance of the molecular formula:
• It represents both molecule and molecular mass of the compound.
• It represents the respective number of different atoms present in one molecule of the
compound.
• It represents the ratios of the respective masses of the elements present in the
compound.

Question 10(a)
What do you understand by the following terms?
Acid radical

Solution 10(a)
Acid radical: The electronegative or negatively charged radical is called an acid
radical.
Examples: Cl-, O2-

Question 10(b)
What do you understand by the following terms?
Basic radical

Solution 10(b)
Basic radical: The electropositive or positively charged radical is called a basic radical.
Examples: K+, Na+

Question 11
Select the basic and acidic radicals in the following compounds.
a. MgSO4
b. (NH4)2SO4
c. Al2(SO4)3
d. ZnCO3
e. Mg(OH)2

Solution 11

Acidic radical Basic radical

a. MgSO4 SO4- Mg+
b. (NH4)2SO4 SO4- NH4+
c. Al2(SO4)3 SO4- Al3+
d. ZnCO3 CO3- Zn2+
e. Mg(OH)2 OH- Mg2+

Question 12
Write chemical formula of the sulphate of Aluminium, Ammonium and Zinc.

Solution 12
 Valencies of aluminium, ammonium and zinc are 3, 1 and 2, respectively.
The valency of sulphate is 2.
Hence, chemical formulae of the sulphates of aluminium, ammonium and zinc
are Al2(SO4)3, (NH4)2SO4 and ZnSO4.

Question 13
The valency of an element A is 3 and that of element B is 2. Write the formula of the
compound formed by the combination of A and B.

Solution 13

Formula of the compound = A2B3

Question 14
Match the following:

Compound Formula
a. Boric acid i. NaOH
b. Phosphoric acid ii. SiO2
c. Nitrous acid iii. Na2CO3
d. Nitric acid iv. KOH
e. Sulphurous acid v. CaCO3
f. Sulphuric acid vi. NaHCO3
g. Hydrochloric acid vii. H2S
h. Silica (sand) viii. H2O
i. Caustic soda ix. PH3
(sodium hydroxide)
j. Caustic potash (potassium x. CH4
hydroxide)
k. Washing soda xi. NH3
(sodium carbonate)
l. Baking soda xii. HCl
(sodium bicarbonate)
m. Lime stone. xiii. H2SO3
(calcium carbonate)
n. Water xiv. HNO3
o. Hydrogen sulphide xv. HNO2
p. Ammonia xvi. H3BO3
q. Phosphine xvii. H3PO4
r. Methane xviii. H2SO4
 Solution 14

Compound Formula (Ans)

a. Boric acid xvi. H3BO3
b. Phosphoric acid xvii. H3PO4
c. Nitrous acid xv. HNO2
d. Nitric acid xiv. HNO3
e. Sulphurous acid xiii. H2SO3
f. Sulphuric acid xviii. H2SO4
g. Hydrochloric acid xii. HCl
h. Silica (sand) ii. SiO2
Caustic soda i. NaOH

(sodium hydroxide)
Caustic potash (potassium hydroxide) iv. KOH
Washing soda iii. Na2CO3

(sodium carbonate)
Baking soda vi. NaHCO3
(sodium bicarbonate)
Lime stone v. CaCO3
(calcium carbonate)
n. Water viii. H2O
o. Hydrogen sulphide vii. H2S
p. Ammonia xi. NH3
q. Phosphine ix. PH3
r. Methane x. CH4

Question 15
Write the basic radicals and acidic radicals of the following
and then write the chemical formulae of these compounds.
a. Barium sulphate
b. Bismuth nitrate
c. Calcium bromide
d. Ferrous sulphide
e. Chromium sulphate
f. Calcium silicate
g. Potassium ferrocyanide
h. Stannic oxide
i. Magnesium phosphate
j. Sodium zincate
k. Stannic phosphate
l. Sodium thiosulphate
m. Potassium manganate
n. Nickel bisulphate

Solution 15

Compounds Acidic Basic Chemical

radical radical formulae
Barium sulphate SO42- Ba2+ BaSO4
Bismuth nitrate NO3- Bi3+ Bi(NO3)3
Calcium bromide Br- Ca2+ CaBr2
Ferrous sulphide S2- Fe2+ FeS
Chromium sulphate SO42- Cr3+ Cr2(SO4)3
Calcium silicate SiO42- Ca2+ Ca2SiO4
Potassium ferrocyanide [Fe(CN)6]4- K1+ K4[Fe(CN)6]
Stannic oxide O2- Sn2+ SnO2
Magnesium phosphate (PO4)3- Mg2+ Mg3(PO4)2
Sodium zincate ZnO2- Na1+ Na2ZnO2
Stannic phosphate (PO4)3- Sn4+ Sn3(PO4)4
Sodium thiosulphate (S2O3)2- Na1+ Na2S2O3
Potassium manganate MnO42- K1+ K2MnO4
Nickel bisulphate HSO41- Ni3+ Ni(HSO4)3

Question 16
Write the chemical names of the following compounds:
a. Ca3(PO4)2
b. K2CO3
c. K2MnO4
d. Mn3(BO3)2
e. Mg(HCO3)2
f. Na4Fe(CN)6
g. Ba(ClO3)2
h. Ag2SO3
i. (CH3COO)2Pb
j. Na2SiO3
 Solution 16
Chemical names of compounds:

a. Ca3(PO4)2 - Calcium phosphate

b. K2CO3 - Potassium carbonate
c. K2MnO4 - Potassium manganate
d. Mn3(BO3)2 - Manganese (II) borate
e. Mg(HCO3)2 - Magnesium hydrogen carbonate
f. Na4Fe(CN)6 - Sodium ferrocyanide
g. Ba(ClO3)2 - Barium chlorate
h. Ag2SO3 - Silver sulphite
i. (CH3COO)2Pb - Lead acetate
j. Na2SiO3 - Sodium silicate

Question 17
Give the names of the following compounds.
a. NaClO
b. NaClO2
c. NaClO3
d. NaClO4

Solution 17
a. NaClO - Sodium hypochlorite
b. NaClO2 - Sodium chlorite
c. NaClO3 - Sodium chlorate
d. NaClO4 - Sodium perchlorate

Question 18(a)
Complete the following statements by selecting the correct option :
The formula of a compound represents
i. an atom
ii. a particle
iii. a molecule
iv. a combination

Solution 18(a)
iii. The formula of a compound represents a molecule.

Question 18(b)
Complete the following statements by selecting the correct option :
The correct formula of aluminium oxide is
i. AlO3
ii. AlO2
 iii. Al2O3

Solution 18(b)
iii. The correct formula of aluminium oxide is Al2O3.

Question 18(c)
Complete the following statements by selecting the correct option :
The valency of nitrogen in nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is
i. one
ii. two
iii. three
iv. four

Solution 18(c)
iv. The valency of nitrogen in nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is four.

Question 19
Give the names of the elements and number of atoms of those elements present in the
following compounds.
a. Sodium sulphate
b. Quick lime
c. Baking soda (NaHCO3)
d. Ammonia
e. Ammonium dichromate

Solution 19
a. Sodium sulphate - Na2SO4
There are two sodium atoms, one sulphur atom and four oxygen atoms.
b. Quick lime - CaO
There is one calcium atom and one oxygen atom.
c. Baking soda - NaHCO3
There is one sodium, carbon and hydrogen atom and three oxygen atoms.
d. Ammonia - NH3
There is one nitrogen atom and three hydrogen atoms.
e. Ammonium dichromate - (NH4)Cr2O7
There two ammonium atoms, two chromium atoms and seven oxygen atoms.

Question 20
The formula of the sulphate of an element M is M2(SO4)3
Write the formula of its
a. Chloride
b. Oxide
c. Phosphate
d. Acetate
 Solution 20
The valency of metal M is 3. So, the formulae are as follows:
a. Chloride - MCl3
b. Oxide - M2O3
c. Phosphate - M(PO4)
d. Acetate - M(CH3COO)3