Use this table to write correct ionic formulas by balancing the charges. A cation is a positively charged ion. An anion is a negatively charged ion.
| Type | Name of Ion | Symbol | Charge | Examples of Compounds Formed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monovalent cation | Sodium | Na+ | +1 | NaCl, NaNO3 |
| Monovalent cation | Potassium | K+ | +1 | KCl, K2SO4 |
| Monovalent cation | Ammonium | NH4+ | +1 | NH4Cl, (NH4)2SO4 |
| Divalent cation | Calcium | Ca2+ | +2 | CaCl2, CaCO3 |
| Divalent cation | Magnesium | Mg2+ | +2 | MgO, MgSO4 |
| Divalent cation | Zinc | Zn2+ | +2 | ZnCl2, ZnSO4 |
| Trivalent cation | Aluminium | Al3+ | +3 | AlCl3, Al2(SO4)3 |
| Trivalent cation | Iron(III) | Fe3+ | +3 | FeCl3, Fe2O3 |
| Type | Name of Ion | Symbol | Charge | Examples of Compounds Formed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monovalent anion | Chloride | Cl- | -1 | NaCl, CaCl2 |
| Monovalent anion | Nitrate | NO3- | -1 | KNO3, AgNO3 |
| Monovalent anion | Hydroxide | OH- | -1 | NaOH, Ca(OH)2 |
| Divalent anion | Oxide | O2- | -2 | MgO, Al2O3 |
| Divalent anion | Sulfate | SO42- | -2 | Na2SO4, Al2(SO4)3 |
| Divalent anion | Carbonate | CO32- | -2 | CaCO3, Na2CO3 |
| Trivalent anion | Phosphate | PO43- | -3 | Na3PO4, Ca3(PO4)2 |
Write the correct formula for each ionic compound by balancing the charges of cation and anion.
Tick one box per question after checking the student answer.