1. Identify the Ions:
* Iron(II): This indicates the iron ion has a +2 charge (Fe²⁺).
* Sulfate: This is the polyatomic ion SO₄²⁻.
2. Balance the Charges:
To form a neutral compound, you need one Fe²⁺ ion and one SO₄²⁻ ion. This gives you FeSO₄.
3. Include the Water of Hydration:
The "-7-hydrate" tells us that there are seven water molecules associated with each formula unit of the compound.
4. Write the Complete Formula:
The complete molecular formula is FeSO₄ · 7H₂O.