What is the correct formula for barium hydroxide?
a. BaaOH
b. Ba(OH)2
c. BaOH
d. Ba(OH)3
e. Ba(OH)4
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct formula for barium hydroxide is b. Ba(OH)₂.
Explanation:
Barium hydroxide is an inorganic compound that consists of barium (Ba) cations and hydroxide (OH) anions. To understand the correct formula, we need to consider the charges of the ions involved:
- Barium (Ba²⁺):
- Barium is an alkaline earth metal and, like other elements in Group 2 of the periodic table, forms a cation with a 2+ charge (Ba²⁺).
- Hydroxide (OH⁻):
- Hydroxide is a polyatomic ion made up of an oxygen atom bonded to a hydrogen atom with a negative charge (OH⁻).
In order to form a neutral compound, the total positive charge must balance the total negative charge. Since barium has a +2 charge, you need two hydroxide ions, each with a -1 charge, to balance the charge. Therefore, the formula for barium hydroxide is:
- Ba²⁺ and OH⁻ combine to form Ba(OH)₂, where the subscript 2 indicates two hydroxide ions.
Why other options are incorrect:
- a. BaaOH: The formula is incorrect because “Baa” does not exist. Barium has a charge of +2, not +1.
- c. BaOH: This is incorrect because it only contains one hydroxide ion, but barium needs two hydroxide ions to balance the +2 charge.
- d. Ba(OH)₃: This is incorrect as it would imply that barium has a +3 charge, which is not true. Barium only forms a +2 ion.
- e. Ba(OH)₄: This is also incorrect as it would imply a +4 charge on the barium ion, which is not the case.
Thus, Ba(OH)₂ is the correct formula for barium hydroxide.
Now, I’ll generate an image to visually represent this formula.
Here is a visual representation of the chemical formula for barium hydroxide (Ba(OH)₂), showing the barium ion (Ba²⁺) and hydroxide ions (OH⁻) in their correct proportions. This structure emphasizes the balancing of charges to form a neutral compound.