What are likely formulas for the following molecules? (a) CH₂Clɂ (b) BHɂ (c) NIɂ (d) SiClɂ

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the problem. We need to determine the likely molecular formulas for the given molecules, which are represented with a subscript placeholder 'ɂ'.
2. Step 2: Recognize that the placeholder 'ɂ' likely represents a number of atoms that need to be determined based on common valency or bonding patterns.
3. Step 3: For each molecule, consider the typical valency or bonding capacity of the central atom and the surrounding atoms.
4. Step 4: (a) For CH₂Clɂ, carbon typically forms four bonds. With two hydrogens and one chlorine already bonded, the likely formula is CH₂Cl₂.
5. Step 5: (b) For BHɂ, boron typically forms three bonds. Therefore, the likely formula is BH₃. (c) For NIɂ, nitrogen typically forms three bonds, so the likely formula is NI₃. (d) For SiClɂ, silicon typically forms four bonds, so the likely formula is SiCl₄.

Key Concepts

Molecular Formulas

A molecular formula represents the number and types of atoms in a molecule. It is expressed using chemical symbols and subscripts, indicating how many of each atom are present. For example, in CH₂Cl, 'C' stands for carbon, 'H' for hydrogen, and 'Cl' for chlorine, with the subscripts showing the quantity of each atom.

Valency and Bonding

Valency refers to the ability of an atom to bond with other atoms, determined by the number of electrons in its outer shell. Understanding valency is crucial for predicting how atoms combine to form molecules. For instance, carbon typically has a valency of four, allowing it to form four bonds, while chlorine has a valency of one.

Common Chemical Notation

Chemical notation is a system of symbols used to represent chemical substances and their interactions. It includes not only molecular formulas but also structural formulas that depict how atoms are arranged. Familiarity with this notation helps in interpreting and writing chemical formulas accurately, which is essential for identifying the correct formulas for the given molecules.