Question

Write the chemical formula of the compound aluminium hydroxide in a step-by-step manner.

Answer 1

The symbol of zinc is ‘Al’, having a valency of 3⁺.

The formula of hydroxide is ‘OH’ with valency 1^-.

Step 1 –

Write the formula of aluminium hydroxide:

Symbol Valency

Aluminium Al 3⁺

Hydroxide OH 1^-

Step 2 –

Write each symbol with its valency:

Al³⁺ OH^1-

Step 3 –

Interchanging the valencies:

$$\begin{gathered} \mathrm{Al}\mathrm{OH} \\ \searrow \swarrow \\ {3}^{+}{1}^{-} \end{gathered}$$

The formula of the compound aluminium hydroxide would be Al(OH)₃.