How many protons and electrons are in gold III? what is the formula of gold III sulfate? what is the formula of gold III nitrate?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answers:
- Gold (III) has:
- Protons: 79
- Electrons: 76
- Formula of gold(III) sulfate:
→ Au₂(SO₄)₃ - Formula of gold(III) nitrate:
→ Au(NO₃)₃
300-Word Explanation:
1. Protons and Electrons in Gold(III):
Gold has the chemical symbol Au and an atomic number of 79, which means every gold atom has 79 protons in its nucleus. The number of electrons in a neutral gold atom is also 79. However, the Roman numeral III in Gold(III) represents a +3 oxidation state (Au³⁺). This means that the gold atom has lost 3 electrons, so it now has 76 electrons.
- Protons (unchanged by ionization): 79
- Electrons (after losing 3): 79 – 3 = 76
2. Gold(III) Sulfate – Formula: Au₂(SO₄)₃
To determine the chemical formula, consider:
- Gold(III) ion: Au³⁺
- Sulfate ion: SO₄²⁻
To balance the charges:
- Two Au³⁺ ions give +6 total charge.
- Three SO₄²⁻ ions give -6 total charge.
Thus, the formula that balances the charges is Au₂(SO₄)₃.
3. Gold(III) Nitrate – Formula: Au(NO₃)₃
Similarly:
- Gold(III) ion: Au³⁺
- Nitrate ion: NO₃⁻
Three nitrate ions are needed to balance one Au³⁺:
- 1 × (+3) = +3
- 3 × (−1) = −3
So the neutral compound is Au(NO₃)₃.
These formulas reflect the principle of charge neutrality, where the total positive and negative charges must balance. Gold(III) is commonly used in coordination and inorganic chemistry and forms salts with polyatomic anions like sulfate and nitrate, making these compounds important in chemical synthesis and analysis.