Question

An element whose electronic configuration is `1s^(2)2s^(2)2p^6` is chemically bound to TWO atoms of an element whose atomic mass is `32.06*g*mol^-1`. What is the compound described?

Answer 1

You have specified the `CS_2` molecule........

Explanation:

All the bumf about electronic configuration was there to confuse and distract you. You have a Group 14 element with 6 electrons.....This means that you got 6 protons. And if there are 6 protons, 6 positively charged nuclear particles, then `Z=6`. And if `Z=6` the merest glance at the Periodic Table will tell you that you gots the element carbon.

But we are not finished there. We were further told that this carbon element was bound to a Group 16 element, whose atomic mass was `32.06*"amu"`. This CLEARLY specified the element sulfur. How do I know? Because I have a Periodic Table in front of me. Is there one in front of you? If you are doing your chemistry homework, and there is not one accessible you are wasting your time.

And the standard Lewis structure for carbon disulfide is `:stackrel(ddot)S=C=stackrel(ddot)S:`; this is a volatile, foul-smelling liquid, that poses a significant fire hazard in that it is dead easy to ignite.