How To Write The Formulas Of Ionic Compounds

Question 1

What is a chemical formula?

Answer 1

A chemical formula is a way of representing a compound using symbols for the atoms present and numbers to show how many atoms of each element are present

Question 2

In general ionic compounds are usually formed with what groups of elements.

Answer 2

In general, ionic compounds are usually formed when metals react with non-metals

i.e. groups I and II (metals) and groups VI and VII (non-metals)

Question 3

Why are ionic compounds usually formed between metals and non-metals?

Answer 3

Because metals have a tendency to lose electrons and non-metals have a tendency to gain electrons

Question 4

What charge does an ionic compound have overall?

Answer 4

An ionic compound is neutral overall

Question 5

An ionic compound is neutral overall, what does this mean for the charges of the atoms?

Answer 5

Therefore there must be the same number of positive charges as negative charges present in the compound