What is the formula for ammonium nitrate?

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Multiple Choice

What is the formula for ammonium nitrate?

Forming a neutral salt from ions requires balancing the charges of the cation and the anion. Ammonium is NH4+ and nitrate is NO3-, which carries a -1 charge. To balance to zero, one ammonium ion pairs with one nitrate ion, giving NH4NO3. The other options mix ammonium with the wrong anion or use an incorrect stoichiometry: ammonium nitrite would be NH4NO2, and ammonium sulfate would be (NH4)2SO4 because sulfate has a -2 charge requiring two NH4+ ions. So, the formula for ammonium nitrate is NH4NO3.

Forming a neutral salt from ions requires balancing the charges of the cation and the anion. Ammonium is NH4+ and nitrate is NO3-, which carries a -1 charge. To balance to zero, one ammonium ion pairs with one nitrate ion, giving NH4NO3. The other options mix ammonium with the wrong anion or use an incorrect stoichiometry: ammonium nitrite would be NH4NO2, and ammonium sulfate would be (NH4)2SO4 because sulfate has a -2 charge requiring two NH4+ ions. So, the formula for ammonium nitrate is NH4NO3.

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