To determine the correct chemical formula for trisilicon tetranitride, let's break down the name of the compound:
1. Prefix Understanding:
- "Tri" indicates three atoms of silicon.
- "Tetra" indicates four atoms of nitrogen.
2. Combining the Elements:
- Silicon is symbolized as [tex]\( Si \)[/tex].
- Nitrogen is symbolized as [tex]\( N \)[/tex].
According to the prefixes, we're dealing with:
- Three silicon atoms ([tex]\( Si_3 \)[/tex]).
- Four nitrogen atoms ([tex]\( N_4 \)[/tex]).
3. Forming the Chemical Formula:
When we combine these, we get the chemical formula [tex]\( Si_3N_4 \)[/tex].
Therefore, the correct answer is:
A. [tex]\( Si_3N_4 \)[/tex].
