Let's determine the correct chemical formula for ammonium chloride among the given options.
1. Option 1: [tex]\( NH_4Cl^+ \)[/tex]
- The formula [tex]\( NH_4Cl^+ \)[/tex] is not correct because it suggests that the molecule has an additional positive charge. Ammonium chloride is a neutral compound, not a charged ion. This option is incorrect.
2. Option 2: [tex]\( NH_4Cl \)[/tex]
- The formula [tex]\( NH_4Cl \)[/tex] is composed of the ammonium ion [tex]\( NH_4^+ \)[/tex] and the chloride ion [tex]\( Cl^- \)[/tex]. When these ions combine in a 1:1 ratio, they form the neutral compound ammonium chloride. This option is correct.
3. Option 3: [tex]\( NH_3Cl \)[/tex]
- The formula [tex]\( NH_3Cl \)[/tex] does not correctly represent the composition of ammonium chloride. Ammonium chloride contains the ammonium ion [tex]\( NH_4^+ \)[/tex], not [tex]\( NH_3 \)[/tex]. This option is incorrect.
4. Option 4: [tex]\( NH_4Cl_2 \)[/tex]
- The formula [tex]\( NH_4Cl_2 \)[/tex] suggests that there are two chloride ions for each ammonium ion. This is not correct because ammonium chloride consists of one ammonium ion [tex]\( NH_4^+ \)[/tex] and one chloride ion [tex]\( Cl^- \)[/tex]. This option is incorrect.
Thus, the correct chemical formula for ammonium chloride is:
[tex]\[ \boxed{NH_4Cl} \][/tex]
