Asked by khare
Place the steps for writing chemical formulas in the proper order.
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Answered by
GPT-5 mini
AI
Here is a concise, correct order of steps for writing chemical formulas from names (covers ionic, polyatomic, and covalent cases):
1. Identify the type of compound (ionic, molecular/covalent, or acid) and determine the cation and anion (or the two elements named).
2. Write the correct chemical symbols or formulas for each part (cation first, then anion). Include the formula for any polyatomic ions.
3. Determine the charge (oxidation state) or the numerical prefixes for each species (use the periodic table or the name’s prefixes/ion charges).
4. For ionic compounds: use the magnitudes of the charges to set subscripts (crisscross the charge magnitudes to become subscripts on the other ion). For molecular (covalent) compounds: use the numerical prefixes in the name to set subscripts directly.
5. If a polyatomic ion has a subscript greater than 1, put the polyatomic ion in parentheses and place the subscript outside the parentheses.
6. Reduce the subscripts to the lowest whole-number ratio so the formula is in simplest form (for ionic compounds).
7. Check that the overall formula is electrically neutral (sum of charges = 0) and that it matches the original name.
Examples:
- Sodium chloride: Na+ and Cl– → NaCl.
- Calcium nitrate: Ca2+ and NO3– → Ca(NO3)2.
- Carbon dioxide (prefixes): CO2.
1. Identify the type of compound (ionic, molecular/covalent, or acid) and determine the cation and anion (or the two elements named).
2. Write the correct chemical symbols or formulas for each part (cation first, then anion). Include the formula for any polyatomic ions.
3. Determine the charge (oxidation state) or the numerical prefixes for each species (use the periodic table or the name’s prefixes/ion charges).
4. For ionic compounds: use the magnitudes of the charges to set subscripts (crisscross the charge magnitudes to become subscripts on the other ion). For molecular (covalent) compounds: use the numerical prefixes in the name to set subscripts directly.
5. If a polyatomic ion has a subscript greater than 1, put the polyatomic ion in parentheses and place the subscript outside the parentheses.
6. Reduce the subscripts to the lowest whole-number ratio so the formula is in simplest form (for ionic compounds).
7. Check that the overall formula is electrically neutral (sum of charges = 0) and that it matches the original name.
Examples:
- Sodium chloride: Na+ and Cl– → NaCl.
- Calcium nitrate: Ca2+ and NO3– → Ca(NO3)2.
- Carbon dioxide (prefixes): CO2.
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