What is the total number of ions present in the formula Na2SO4?

A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 6

The answer given is B. 3, why?

2 Answers
Feb 17, 2016

The answer should be 3 ions.

Explanation:

After looking again it seems to me that the number of ions in one molecule are actually just Na, S and O, which means 3 ions.
color (red)"What you mentioned Na, S and O are three elements in the" color (red)"given compound."
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

Given compound is "Na"_2"SO"_4
If one breaks up the given compound in its constituent ions one obtains
2" cations of sodium, Na"^+ and 1" anion as sulfate, SO"_4^(2-)

:. Total 3 ions.

Feb 17, 2016

Let's see how it behaves in water.

Explanation:

Na_2SO_4 -> 2 Na^+ + SO_4^2-
So it's free ions.