Question

The chemical formula of ammonium nitrate is _________.

• A. $N{H}_{4}N{O}_3$
• B. $N{H}_4(N{O}_3{)}_2$
• C. $(N{H}_4{)}_{2}N{O}_3$
• D. $N{O}_{3}N{H}_4$

Answer 1

The correct option is A $N{H}_{4}N{O}_3$

Ammonium nitrate consists of ammonium ion and nitrate ion i.e. $(N{H}_4{)}^{+}$ and $(N{O}_3{)}^{-}$, which have a charge of +1 and -1 respectively. The charge and the symbol is given in the table:
$$\begin{array}{ccc}\text{Symbol}& N{H}_4& N{O}_3\\ \text{Charge}& \text{+1}& \text{-1}\end{array}$$
On cross-multiplication and balancing the charge, we get the formula as $N{H}_{4}N{O}_3$.