Question

Write the chemical formula of the compound sodium bisulphate in a step-by-step manner.

Answer 1

The symbol of sodium is ‘Na’ which is derived from the word Natrium, having valency 1⁺.

The formula of bisulphate is ‘HSO₄’ with valency 1^-.

Step 1 –

Write the formula of sodium bisulphate:

Symbol Valency

Sodium Na 1⁺

Bisulphate HSO₄ 1^-

Step 2 –

Write each symbol with its valency:

Na¹⁺ HSO₄^1-

Step 3 –

Interchanging the valencies:

$$\begin{gathered} \mathrm{Na}{\mathrm{HSO}}_4 \\ \searrow \swarrow \\ {1}^{+}{1}^{-} \end{gathered}$$

The formula of the compound sodium bisulphate is NaHSO₄.