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Outline the steps for writing the chemical formula of an ionic compound.

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User TuxSlayer
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Final answer:

The steps for writing the chemical formula of an ionic compound include identifying the ions, writing their symbols and charges, balancing the charges with subscripts, and simplifying the ratio if possible.

Step-by-step explanation:

The steps for writing the chemical formula of an ionic compound are:

  1. Identify the metal ion and the nonmetal ion in the compound.
  2. Write the symbol of the metal ion and its charge. This is usually written first.
  3. Write the symbol of the nonmetal ion and its charge. This is usually written second.
  4. Balance the charges of the ions by using subscripts. The subscripts represent the number of each ion needed to achieve a neutral compound.
  5. Simplify the ratio of the ions, if possible, by dividing the charges by their greatest common factor.

For example, if you want to write the chemical formula for sodium chloride, the metal ion is sodium (Na) and the nonmetal ion is chloride (Cl). The charges of sodium and chloride are +1 and -1, respectively. So the formula for sodium chloride is NaCl.

User Yakubu
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1.Write the symbols for the cation and the anion.
2.Determine the charge on the cation and anion.
3.Determine the formula.
Hope this helps! :)

User GlennV
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