RULES IN WRITING CHEMICAL FORMULA

1. Place cation at the right side and anion at the left side.
Ex.
Cation anion
Li +1 or Li+ (+ means there is an invisible 1) H-1
SO…
Li +1 H-1
2. Always observe the absolute value of an anion.
Li +1 H|-1|
So…
Li +1 H+1
3. Once the charges of the ions are the same, copy the symbols automatically
Li +1 H+1 so it will become LiH ( lithium hydride)

4. If the charges are not the same and divisible by LCF, divide both side with the LCF to reduce the charges and
apply criss-cross method.
Example
Sn+4 O-2
So…
Absolute value of anion
Sn+4 O|-2| therefore, O will have a charge of +2

Then, look at the charges. If both are the same, copy the symbols automatically but if not look at the charges if they
are invisible by their LCF then divide both charges.
Sn+4 O+2

So…
Sn(+4/+2= +2) then, O(+2/+2= +1)
Therefore,
+2 +1 or +
Sn O they don’t have the same charges, apply criss-cross method.

(note: no need to indicate one)

So it will become…
SnO2
5. If the charges are not the same and not divisible by LCF, apply criss-cross method.
Example
Sr +2 N-3

Sr +2 N|-3|

Sr +2N+3

Sr +2 N+3 criss-cross method

6. If the anion is a polyatomic, enclose it with parenthesis.

Enjoy!
Mrs. Glendel G. Lastimosa