Question

Use the drop-down menus in order to complete the steps for writing chemical formulas.

a) Identify the anion
b) Identify the cation
c) Determine the charges of ions
d) Write the chemical formula

Answer 1

To write chemical formulas, follow these steps: identify the anion and cation, determine the charges of ions, and write the chemical formula.

Step-by-step explanation:

1. Identify the anion: The anion is the negatively charged ion in the compound. It is usually a nonmetal. For example, in sodium chloride (NaCl), chloride (Cl-) is the anion.
2. Identify the cation: The cation is the positively charged ion in the compound. It is usually a metal. For example, in sodium chloride (NaCl), sodium (Na+) is the cation.
3. Determine the charges of ions: Look at the periodic table to determine the charges of the ions. Metals generally form positive ions, while nonmetals generally form negative ions. For example, sodium (Na+) has a +1 charge, and chloride (Cl-) has a -1 charge.
4. Write the chemical formula: Write the symbol and charge of the cation first, followed by the symbol and charge of the anion. Make sure the charges balance to give a neutral compound. For example, the chemical formula for sodium chloride (NaCl) is obtained by combining the symbol for sodium (Na+) and the symbol for chloride (Cl-).