Question

Write the formula of Bismuth nitrate.

Answer 1

The symbol of Bismuth is ‘$\mathrm{Bi}$’, having a valency of 3⁺.

The formula of nitrate is ‘${\mathrm{NO}}_3$’ with valency 1^-.

Step 1 –

Write the formula of bismuth nitrate:

Symbol Valency

Bismuth $\mathrm{Bi}$ 3⁺

Nitrate ${\mathrm{NO}}_3$ 1^-

Step 2 –

Write each symbol with its valency:

${\mathrm{Bi}}^{2+}$ ${{\mathrm{NO}}_3}^{1-}$

Step 3 –

Interchanging the valencies:

$$\begin{gathered} \mathrm{Bi}{\mathrm{NO}}_3 \\ \searrow \swarrow \\ {3}^{+}{1}^{-} \end{gathered}$$

The formula of the compound would be $\mathrm{Bi}{\left({\mathrm{NO}}_3\right)}_3$.