Ionic and Molecular Compounds

IONIC COMPOUNDS are metal-nonmetal combinations [ex: NaCl]
The simplest of ionic compounds are binary compounds, which are created from two monatomic ions. [Ex: Na+ and Cl- have positive/negative charges of +/- 1]

Note: Cations are positively charged ions (Cat Paws; �Paws� = pos.; positive) and Anions are negatively charged ions.

Therefore, the cation Na+ and the anion Cl- combine to create a stable compound with no charge giving us NaCl(s).
However, some ionic compounds are not binary. [Ex: AlCl3(s) is made from the Cation Al3+ and the anion Cl-]
In order to create a balanced, neutral compound, there must be three Cl-�s for every one Al3+
Therefore: Al3+ + 3Cl- => AlCl3
The subscript numbers show how many atoms of a substance are present within each compound.

The substances listed above have a Net Charge of zero; however, some substances have a positive or a negative Net Charge. [NO3-, Co32-, SO42-, ClO3-]
The superscript numbers show the net charge of the compound.

POLYATOMIC IONS are compounds made of a group of ions with a net positive or negative charge low made with compounds such as those above.
[ex: NaNO3 => Na+( NO3-,) ? net charge = 0
       K2CO3 => K2+( Co32-) ? net charge = 0]

When writing Ionic compound formulas, there is one simple trick to remember:
Change Houses, Go Downstairs
[ex: Let�s say that you want to write a compound formula for the ombination of aluminum and oxygen
1) Start by writing out the elements with their charges.
Al3+ + O2- => Al2O3
2) Ignore negative signs, the numbers will be positive
3) Then the charges �change houses� (the 2 moved to Al and the 3 moved to the O) and then �go downstairs� (becoming subscripts).]

When naming Ionic Compounds, there are some basic rules to follow:
1) The metal element always is listed first
2) The nonmetal element�s ending is changed to an �-ide�
[ex Aluminum Chloride, Sodium Oxide, Iron Sulfide]
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