Ionic compounds

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Topics > Nomenclature > Ionic Compounds

Ionic Compounds | Covalent/Molecular Compounds | Acids | Simple Organic Compounds

Ionic compounds are composed of a cation and anion. Sometimes it is simplified as a metal and a nonmetal. If the compound contains a metal it is a good sign that it can be considered an ionic compound.

WRITING NAMES FOR IONIC COMPOUNDS

WRITING FORMULAS FOR IONIC COMPOUNDS

Write the symbols and charges for each cation and anion. (Cation is written first.)
Crisscross ONLY THE NUMBER (not +/-) OF THE CHARGE to the other ion - written as a subscript. (You may need to use parentheses if the cation or anion contains more than 1 element or has a subscript already written.)
Simplify the numbers that were crisscrossed (now written as subscripts). (If the subscript is reduced to “1” then it should not be written and parentheses are not needed.)

None to list

Examples and Practice Problems

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