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Writing Chemical Formulas
What number is never used as a subscript in a chemical formula? |
Chemical formulas represent compounds. Oxidation numbers are used to determine the ratio in which elements combine to form compounds. |
Oxidation numbers tell the number of electrons an atom gained or lost when forming the compound.
The plus or minus indicates if electrons were lost or gained.
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Since electrons have a negative charge, and atom with a negative oxidation number will gain electrons. That means an atom with a positive oxidation number will lose electrons. |
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Nonmetals and polyatomic ions almost always gain electrons - have negative oxidation numbers. Metals almost always lose electrons - have positive oxidation numbers. |
The number indicates how many electrons.
Example: |
Aluminum has an oxidation number of +3. It will lose 3 electrons when forming compounds. Oxygen has an oxidation number of -2. It will gain 2 electrons when forming compounds. |
Common Oxidation Numbers
Element |
Oxidation # |
Element |
Oxidation # |
Element |
Oxidation # |
Aluminum |
+3 |
Bromine |
-1 |
Calcium |
+2 |
Carbon |
-4 or +4 |
Chlorine |
-1 |
Chromium |
+3 |
Copper |
+2 or +1 |
Fluorine |
-1 |
Gold |
+3 |
Helium |
0 |
Hydrogen |
+1 |
Iodine |
-1 |
Iron |
+3 or +2 |
Lead |
+2 |
Lithium |
+1 |
Magnesium |
+2 |
Mercury |
+2 |
Neon |
0 |
Nickel |
+2 |
Nitrogen |
-3 |
Oxygen |
-2 |
Phosphorus |
-3 |
Potassium |
+1 |
Silicon |
+4 |
Silver |
+1 |
Sodium |
+1 |
Sulfur |
-2 |
Tin |
+4 or +2 |
Uranium |
+6 |
Zinc |
+2 |
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Notice that some of the elements on the table have more than one possible oxidation number. You will soon learn how to know which one to use. However, the first listed on the table is the most common. |
Understanding Chemical Formulas
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The easiest way to think of writing chemical formulas is to |
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Identify the oxidation number for the element making up each half (positive & negative) of the compound. |
Use the oxidation number (without the plus or minus) for each half as the subscript for the other half. |
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Do not write a subscript of 1. |
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After doing this, be sure the subscripts will not reduce. Example: Ca2O2 must be reduced to CaO |
5/16/24 7:13 PM