8
QuizMultiple Choice

Nomenclature of Covalent Compounds

Question 8 • *26-27 CFISD TX-Chemistry A CR

Which is the correct formula for phosphorus pentachloride?

Answer
A
PCl4 because a subscript of 4 indicates four Cl atoms
B
PCl5 because a subscript of 5 indicates five Cl atoms
C
P5Cl because a subscript of 5 indicates five P atoms
D
P5Cl3 because a subscript of 5 indicates five P atoms

Explanation

In a chemical formula, a subscript tells how many atoms of the element immediately before it are present. “Pentachloride” means five chlorine atoms, and phosphorus has no prefix, so there is one phosphorus atom. The formula is PCl5, the choice stating that the subscript 5 indicates five Cl atoms.

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