The compound BaSO4 has the name Barium sulphate

The compound BaSO4 has the name Barium sulphate .

True

False

The correct answer and explanation is:

True

The compound BaSO4 is indeed called Barium sulfate. This name follows the standard rules of naming ionic compounds in chemistry.

To break this down:

  • Ba stands for Barium, a chemical element with the symbol Ba and atomic number 56. It is an alkaline earth metal that forms cations with a charge of +2.
  • SO4 represents the sulfate ion, which is a polyatomic ion with the formula SO4^2-. This ion is composed of one sulfur (S) atom covalently bonded to four oxygen (O) atoms, and it carries a -2 charge.

When Barium combines with the sulfate ion, it forms an ionic compound. The positive charge of the barium ion (+2) and the negative charge of the sulfate ion (-2) balance each other out, resulting in a neutral compound with the formula BaSO4. This compound is commonly known as Barium sulfate.

The name of an ionic compound is typically derived from the name of the cation (the positively charged ion) and the anion (the negatively charged ion). In this case, Barium comes from the metal cation and sulfate comes from the sulfate anion. The names of the ions are straightforward: Barium and Sulfate, and there is no need for further modifications because the charges on the ions are balanced.

Barium sulfate is often used in medical imaging as a contrast medium for X-ray procedures, as well as in industrial applications. It is highly insoluble in water, which makes it stable and safe for use in various settings.

In summary, BaSO4 is correctly named Barium sulfate, and this is consistent with the rules for naming ionic compounds.

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