Question

How would you write the formula for sodium perchlorate?

Answer 1

As the name, sodium perchlorate suggests that there are three elements i.e., sodium, chlorine, and oxygen. This compound is formed by two ions i.e., the sodium ion and the perchlorate ion.

Complete step by step answer:
- As the name sodium perchlorate suggests that there are three elements i.e., sodium, chlorine, and oxygen.
- Sodium is the element of group 1, its atomic number is 11, so its electronic configuration will be $1{{s}^{2}}2{{s}^{2}}2{{p}^{6}}3{{s}^{1}}$. Chlorine is the element of group 17, its atomic number is 17, so its electronic configuration will be $1{{s}^{2}}2{{s}^{2}}2{{p}^{6}}3{{s}^{2}}3{{p}^{5}}$ and oxygen is the element of group 16, its electronic configuration will be $1{{s}^{2}}2{{s}^{2}}2{{p}^{4}}$.
So, the compound sodium perchlorate is formed by two ions i.e., the sodium ion and the perchlorate ion.
- Perchlorate ion is a compound in which there is one chlorine atom and there are four oxygen atoms, and the overall charge on the compound is -1. So the formula of the perchlorate is $ClO_{4}^{-}$.
- As the electronic configuration of sodium indicated that there is one valence electron in its valence shell, so it will have +1 charge and in the charge form, it is written as $N{{a}^{+}}$.
So, both the ions have a valency of 1 having opposite charge therefore, the ions will combine in the ratio of 1 : 1.
Hence, the formula of sodium perchlorate compound will be $NaCl{{O}_{4}}$.

Note: The bond between the sodium and perchlorate ion will be ionic because these are formed by ions because when the bond breaks there is formation of a cation and an anion. Since, this compound is an ionic compound, it is a stable compound because the bond is a strong bond and cannot be easily broken.