Empirical Formula:
* Cobalt (Co): The symbol for cobalt is Co.
* Nitrate (NO3): The nitrate ion has a charge of -1 (NO₃⁻).
* Balancing Charges: To balance the charges, we need two nitrate ions to match the +2 charge of the cobalt(II) ion.
* Formula: This gives us the formula Co(NO₃)₂
Name:
* Cobalt: This is the name of the metal.
* (II): The Roman numeral II indicates that the cobalt ion has a +2 charge.
* Nitrate: This is the name of the polyatomic ion (NO₃⁻).
Therefore, the empirical formula for the compound is Co(NO₃)₂, and its name is Cobalt(II) Nitrate.