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When there is more than one polyatomic ion. Calcium Hydroxide is an example. Ca has a charge of 2+ and OH has a charge of 1-. To make this neutral, 2 hydroxides are required. So it would be written: Ca(OH)2. If we didn't use the parentheses, it would look like there was 1 calcium, 1 oxygen, and 2 hydrogens. Obviously this isn't right. That's why the parentheses are necessary.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoYou use parentheses when there is more than one of a particular group in an atom. This is most often used for compounds containing polyatomic ions.
For example, calcium hydroxide is Ca(OH)2The formula shows that each formula unit contains 2 hydroxide ions, OH-.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoEspecially when attaching more than one polyatomic ion in a compound.
Ca(OH)2
Ca3(PO4)2
and the like
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How many atoms does a molecule contain?
It depends on the molecule! If you have a molecular formula for a molecule and the formula does not contain parentheses, you can find the number of atoms in it by adding all the subscripts, treating no subscript as the number 1. If the formula does contain parentheses, first multiply any subscript within the parentheses by the subscript at the end of the parentheses, then add these modified numbers to those of any other atoms in the formula that are not in parentheses.
What do parentheses around a group of atoms in a chemical formula indicate?
Something like (C10H8O4)n? (This is the formula for the plastic a Coke bottle is made of.) It means there are multiple instances of whatever group is inside the parentheses.
Why do you put parentheses around a polyatomic ion?
You use parentheses to represent that a polyatomic ion is used more than once as a whole. For example Ba(NO2)2. It is NO2 that is used twice because Ba has a 2+ charge and NO2 has a -1 charge. So you need 2 NO2 to make the formula equal 0. So you use the parentheses to represent you are using 2 NO2
Why are parentheses used to write the formula for AlOH3?
Al(OH)3 Indicates that there are three OH groups per Al metal
How should more than one polyatomic ion be indicated a chemical formula?
More than one polyatomic ion should be indicated in a chemical formula by putting parentheses around the atoms in the ions and then adding a subscript.
When is it appropriate to use parentheses in the formula of an ionic compound?
When the formula contains more than one unit of a polyatomic ion.
Why does the Celsius formula need parentheses when the Fahrenheit formula doesn't?
Hi
What do parentheses mean in a Calc formula Select the best answer Ignore the numbers in parentheses until the end Calculate the numbers in parentheses first Us?
Anything within parentheses should be calculated first.
What patterns are involved in multiplying algebraic expression?
use parentheses and distribute
How many carbon atoms in cobalt acetate?
The formula for cobalt acetate is Co(C2H3O2)2. According to the formula, there are four carbon atoms in each formula unit. When an ion is in parentheses, you multiply the subscripts inside the parentheses times the subscript outside the parentheses to find the total number of atoms of an element.
Which calculation will be performed first in a formula that does not contain parentheses?
addition
How many atoms does a molecule contain?
It depends on the molecule! If you have a molecular formula for a molecule and the formula does not contain parentheses, you can find the number of atoms in it by adding all the subscripts, treating no subscript as the number 1. If the formula does contain parentheses, first multiply any subscript within the parentheses by the subscript at the end of the parentheses, then add these modified numbers to those of any other atoms in the formula that are not in parentheses.
What does a subscript following a set of parenthesis in a chemical formula indicate?
The number of units of the polyatomic ions with formulas contained within the parentheses that are present in a formula unit.
Please explain inserting parentheses to make math sentence true.?
use parentheses when u do a opperation. Parentheses have to do 1st no matter what
When is it appropriate to use parentheses in the naming of an ionic compound?
When the compound contains an ion with more than one atom in each ion, and the number of such units in a formula unit of the ionic compound is at least 2, parentheses are needed in the formula of the compound. In more conventional naming, parentheses containing a Roman number are often used after the name of a cation to denote its oxidation state, particular for atoms that form more than one stable cation.
Should a paraphrase be in a parentheses?
No, a paraphrase should not be in parentheses. When paraphrasing, you should reword the original text in your own words, without the use of parentheses.
How do you use the word parentheses in a sentence?
Parentheses are the little "(" and ")" marks used to denote something said in an aside. You should enclose this phrase in parentheses.
