Zinc Sulfide Formula, Structure, Charge and Properties

A Zinc Sulfide formula, also known as Zincblende or Wurtzite. A zinc metal-sulfur atom is attached to each other via a polar covalent bond in Zincblende. Zinc Sulfide has the chemical or molecular formula ZnS. The crystal form of this substance can vary in color, ranging from white to yellowish-white. It is typically found as a greyish white mineral known as sphalerite, or zinc blende. ZnS has a higher density than water and is not soluble in it. It can be created through the combustion of sulfur and zinc, or by reacting zinc sulfate with sodium sulfide, or by introducing hydrogen sulfide gas into a solution containing Zn2+. When formed, it displays luminescent properties that make it useful in various industries.

Zinc Sulfide Formula

Zinc sulfide is a chemical compound with the formula ZnS. It is composed of zinc (Zn) cations and sulfide (S2-) anions. This formula represents the basic building blocks of the compound and provides important information about its chemical composition. The systematic name for ZnS is zinc sulfide, as per the IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) nomenclature. This name reflects the composition of the compound and follows the standard naming conventions in chemistry.

Also Read: Ammonium Iodide Formula

Zinc Sulfide Formula Structure

The mineral zinc sulphide, also known as ZnS, exists in two main crystalline forms. This illustrates a phenomenon known as polymorphism. Both forms have a tetrahedral coordination geometry at the Zn and S elements. Additionally, they are referred to as zinc blende or sphalerite for the cubic form and wurtzite for the hexagonal form. The hexagonal form can be produced synthetically and occurs when the temperature reaches approximately 1020 °C, causing a shift from sphalerite to wurtzite. There is also a rare tetragonal form called Polhemus site with the formula (Zn, Hg)S.

Zinc Sulfide Formula Charge

In the formula ZnS, the zinc cation (Zn) has a charge of +2, and the sulfide anion (S2-) carries a charge of -2. These charges balance each other out, resulting in a neutral compound. The balanced charges are a key characteristic of ionic compounds like zinc sulfide.

Zinc Sulfide Formula Balanced Equation

A balanced chemical equation can represent the formation of zinc sulfide. When zinc reacts with sulfur, it forms zinc sulfide, and the equation can be written as follows: Zn + S → ZnS This equation shows that one zinc atom combines with one sulfur atom to produce one zinc sulfide molecule.

Zinc Sulfide Formula Solid

Zinc sulfide exists in various forms, including both crystalline and amorphous structures. The crystalline form of zinc sulfide is a white-to-yellowish solid with applications in luminescent materials, pigments, and phosphors. It is often used in producing glow-in-the-dark products due to its ability to emit light when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) or other forms of radiation.

Zinc Sulfide Formula in Chemistry

In chemistry, zinc sulfide is a widely studied compound with various applications. Its luminescent properties make it valuable in the manufacturing of phosphors used in television screens, fluorescent lamps, and X-ray screens. It is also utilized as a pigment in the creation of white and yellow paints. In addition, it plays a role in the field of semiconductors, where it is used in the production of optoelectronic devices like photodetectors.

Zinc Sulfide Formula by Criss Cross Method

The criss-cross method is a simple way to determine the formula of an ionic compound. In the case of zinc sulfide (ZnS), you can determine the formula by swapping the charges of the cation and anion:

• Zinc (Zn) has a charge of +2.
• Sulfide (S2-) has a charge of -2.

Using the criss-cross method, the formula becomes ZnS, the correct zinc sulfide representation. This method helps balance the charges of the ions to create a neutral compound.

Zinc Sulfide Properties

Chemical formula	ZnS
Molecular weight	97.474 g/mol
Density	4.090 g/mL
Boiling point	1,935 °C
Melting point	1,850 °C

There is no harm to humans from ZnS, but it can be hazardous to the environment. It can penetrate the soil and contaminate the groundwater, so immediate action needs to be taken.

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