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":

2Al^3 & 3CO_3^-2

Al_2(CO_3)_3