What is the formula of aluminum carbonate?

2 Answers
May 6, 2018

# Al_2CO_3)_3#

Explanation:

Aluminium generally has a charge of +3
The electron configuration of Aluminium is # 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^1#
=
The 3p electron and the 2 3s electrons are outer valance electrons and are lost to form the +3 charge.

The Carbonate ion has a charge of -2

#1 C =1 xx +4 #
#3 O = 3 xx -2 = -6#

# +4 + -6 = -2 #

Chemical compounds have a net charge of zero

# 2 xx (+3) + 3 xx ( -2) = 0 #
# + 6 + -6 = 0#

so the formula is

# Al_2 (CO_3)_3#

May 6, 2018

#Al_2##(CO_3)_3#

Explanation:

Aluminium - #Al^3#
Carbonate - #CO_3^-2#

Because the charge of aluminium is 3 and the charge of carbonate is -2, you need to multiply each to balance out at 6. So, "swap and drop":

2#Al^3# & 3#CO_3^-2#

#Al_2##(CO_3)_3#