Select the correct answer.

Hypobromite is used to purify contaminated water. What is the formula for hypobromite?

A. [tex]BrO^{-}[/tex]
B. [tex]BrO_{4}[/tex]
C. [tex]Br_{2}O^{2-}[/tex]
D. [tex]Br_{2}O^{+}[/tex]



Answer :

To determine the chemical formula for hypobromite, we need to understand the basic chemistry of the hypohalite ions, which include hypochlorites, hypobromites, and hypoiodites. Hypohalite ions generally follow the pattern [tex]\(XO^-\)[/tex], where [tex]\(X\)[/tex] is a halogen.

1. Identify the Hypohalite Prefix:
- The prefix "hypo-" indicates that the halogen is in its lowest possible oxidation state in the oxyanion series.

2. Recognize the Halogen:
- In this case, the halogen is bromine ([tex]\(Br\)[/tex]).

3. Combine the Halogen with Oxygen:
- We need to pair the bromine with one oxygen atom to form the hypobromite ion.

4. Balance the Charge:
- The ion has a single negative charge, denoted as [tex]\(BrO^-\)[/tex].

Thus, the chemical formula for hypobromite is [tex]\(BrO^-\)[/tex]. Among the given options, the correct answer is:

A. [tex]\( BrO^{-} \)[/tex]