In NH3 (ammonia) and MgCl2 (magnesium chloride), what will be the combining capacities of nitrogen and magnesium respectively?
The combining capacity of nitrogen is 3 and the combining capacity of magnesium is 2.
Explanation
The textbook explains that the combining capacity of an element is determined by the number of hydrogen or chlorine atoms it combines with, as both have a combining capacity of one. In NH3, one nitrogen atom combines with 3 hydrogen atoms, making its combining capacity 3. In MgCl2, one magnesium atom combines with 2 chlorine atoms, making its combining capacity 2.
Solution Steps
Step 1: Understand that combining capacity is determined by the number of hydrogen or chlorine atoms an element combines with.
Step 2: In NH3, nitrogen combines with 3 hydrogen atoms, so its combining capacity is 3.
Step 3: In MgCl2, magnesium combines with 2 chlorine atoms, so its combining capacity is 2.