Chemistry

(form 4)

Prepared Mr. Alex Wong

 Chapter 3:
Chemical Formulae and Equations

Prepared Mr. Alex Wong

chapter 3: Chemical formulae and
equations

3.1 Relative Atomic Mass and Relative Molecular Mass

3.2 The Mole and the Number of Particles

3.3 The Mole and Mass of Substances

3.4 The Mole and the Volume of Gas

3.5 Chemical Formulae

3.6 Chemical Equations
Chapter 3.5:
Chemical Formulae
NH4+

Prepared Mr. Alex Wong

3.5 Chemical Formulae

Learning Outcomes:
1. State the meaning of chemical formula.

2. State the meaning of empirical formula.

3. State the meaning of molecular formula.

4. Determine empirical and molecular formulae of substances.

5. Compare and contrast empirical formula with molecular formula.
6. Solve numerical problems involving empirical and molecular formulae.

7. Write ionic formulae of ions.

8. Construct chemical formulae of ionic compounds.
9. State the names of chemical compounds using IUPAC nomenclature.
7. Write ionic formulae of ions.

Formulae of some common cations:

Cation Formula
Lithium cation Li+
Sodium cation Na+
Potassium cation K+
Copper(I) cation Cu+
Silver cation Ag+
Hydrogen cation H+
Ammonium cation NH4+
Hydroxonium cation H3O+
NOTE:
1. Lithium, sodium and potassium are Group 1 elements and the monoatomic ions ALWAYS carry one positive
charge.
2. Copper and silver are transition elements.
3. The Latin names of sodium, potassium, copper and silver are natrium (Na), kalium (K), cuprum(Cu) and
argentum (Ag) respectively.
4. Hydrogen is NOT a Group 1 alkali metal and is normally categorized separately.
5. Ammonium (NH4+) is a cation, while ammonia (NH3) is a molecule.
7. Write ionic formulae of ions.

Formulae of some common cations:

Cation Formula
Magnesium cation Mg2+
Calcium cation Ca2+
Barium cation Ba2+
Iron(II) cation Fe2+
Copper(II) cation Cu2+
Nickel(II) cation Ni2+
Cobalt(II) cation Co2+
Manganese(II) cation Mn2+
Zinc cation Zn2+
Lead(II) cation Pb2+
NOTE:
1. Magnesium, calcium and barium are Group 2 elements and the monoatomic ions ALWAYS carry two positive
charges.
2. Iron, copper, nickel, cobalt, manganese and zinc are a transition elements.
3. The Latin names of iron, copper and lead are ferrum (Fe), cuprum (Cu) and plumbum (Pb) respectively.
4. Lead is a Group 14 element.
7. Write ionic formulae of ions.

Formulae of some common cations:

Cation Formula
Aluminium cation Al3+
Chromium(III) cation Cr3+
Iron(III) cation Fe3+
NOTE:
1. Aluminium is a Group 13 element and the monoatomic ion ALWAYS carry three positive charges.
2. Iron and chromium are a transition elements.
3. The Latin name of iron is ferrum (Fe).
7. Write ionic formulae of ions.

Formulae of some common anions:

Anion Formula
Fluoride anion F-
Chloride anion Cl-
Bromide anion Br-
Iodide anion I-
Astatide anion At-
Manganate(VII) anion ( / Permanganate anion) MnO4-
Nitrate anion NO3-
Nitrite anion NO2-
Hydroxide anion OH-
Cyanide anion CN-
Thiocyanate anion SCN-
Hydrogen carbonate anion / Bicarbonate anion HCO3-
Ethanoate anion ( / Acetate anion) CH3COO-
NOTE:
1. Fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine and astatine are Group 17 elements and the monoatomic ions ALWAYS
carry one negative charge.
7. Write ionic formulae of ions.

Formulae of some common anions:

Anion Formula Anion Formula Anion Formula Anion Formula

Hypochlorite ClO- / Chlorite Chlorate Perchlorate

ClO2- ClO3- ClO4-
anion OCl- anion anion anion

Hypobromite BrO- / Bromite Bromate Perbromate

BrO2 - BrO3- BrO4-
anion OBr- anion anion anion

Hypoiodite IO- / Iodite Iodate Periodate

IO2 - IO3 - IO4-
anion OI- anion anion anion

Anion Formula
Hydride anion H-
7. Write ionic formulae of ions.

Formulae of some common anions:

Anion Formula
Oxide anion O2-
Sulphide anion S2-
Chromate(VI) anion CrO42-
Dichromate(VI) anion Cr2O72-
Sulphate anion SO42-
Sulphite anion SO32-
Carbonate anion CO32-
Silicate anion SiO32-
Thiosulphate anion S2O32-
Ethanedioate anion ( / oxalate anion) C2O42- / (COO)22-
NOTE:
1. Oxygen and sulphur are Group 16 elements and the monoatomic ions ALWAYS carry two negative charges.
2. Please note the differences between the sulphide anion, sulphate anion and the sulphite anion.
7. Write ionic formulae of ions.

Formulae of some common anions:

Anion Formula
Nitride anion N3-
Phosphide anion P3-
Hexacyanoferrate(III) anion/
[Fe(CN)6]3-
Ferricyanide anion
Phosphate anion PO43-
Phosphite anion PO33-
NOTE:
1. Nitrogen and phosphorus are Group 15 elements and the monoatomic ions ALWAYS carry three negative
charges.
7. Write ionic formulae of ions.

Formulae of some common anions:

Anion Formula
Hexacyanoferrate(II) anion/
[Fe(CN)6]4-
Ferrocyanide anion