What is the formula for Titanium (II) selenide
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Formula for Titanium (II) Selenide: TiSe
Explanation
Titanium (II) selenide is a binary compound composed of the elements titanium (Ti) and selenium (Se). The Roman numeral (II) in the name indicates the oxidation state of the titanium ion, which is +2 in this compound.
To determine the correct chemical formula, we need to balance the charges of the ions involved:
- Titanium (Ti²⁺): Titanium, in the +2 oxidation state, loses two electrons, forming a Ti²⁺ ion.
- Selenium (Se²⁻): Selenium, a group 16 nonmetal, typically gains two electrons to achieve a stable octet, forming a Se²⁻ ion.
When combining these ions into a neutral compound, we need one Ti²⁺ ion and one Se²⁻ ion. This is because the +2 charge from titanium exactly cancels out the −2 charge from selenium. The resulting formula is:
TiSe
This 1:1 ratio ensures the compound is electrically neutral, which is a fundamental requirement for all stable ionic compounds.
Additional Notes:
Titanium (II) selenide belongs to a class of compounds known as transition metal chalcogenides. These materials often have interesting electronic properties and are studied for use in semiconductors, batteries, and other advanced technologies.
TiSe is also known for forming a layered crystal structure, similar to graphite, which allows for potential use in nanotechnology and materials science. It exhibits charge density wave (CDW) behavior, which is a quantum mechanical phenomenon associated with low-dimensional materials.
In summary, by using ionic charges to balance the components of titanium (II) selenide, we determine that the correct chemical formula is TiSe, with a 1:1 ratio of titanium and selenium atoms.
