Chemical Formulas Now that we know that elements can bond together to make compounds…
Why is water H 2 O? (and not H 2 O 2 or anything else?) How most elements come together (bond) is based on the number of VALENCE ELECTRONS. (and where it is on the periodic table)
Periodic Table VALENCE ELECTRONS
But, why is water H 2 O? Since elements want to ACHIEVE THE GOAL (of 8 valence electrons), they will either GIVE electrons away OR they will TAKE electrons from another atom.
But, why is water H 2 O? GROUPVALENCE ELECTRONSION CHARGE
GROUPVALENCE ELECTRONSION CHARGE neutral But, why is water H 2 O? neutral -3 -2
But, why is water H 2 O? If SODIUM AND CHLORINE are going to bond, what will happen? Na is in Group 1 so it has a charge of +1. (That means that it will GIVE UP ONE ELECTRON.) Cl is in Group 17 so it has a charge of -1. (That means that it will TAKE ONE ELECTRON.) They will bond together and form NaCl. Let’s talk about salt (sodium chloride), first.
Finally, why is water H 2 O? H is in Group 1 so it has a charge of +1. O is in Group 16 so it has a charge of -2. Since all compounds have to be NEUTRAL, there would have to be 2 Hydrogen atoms for every 1 Oxygen atom. That is why water’s chemical formula is H 2 O!
Quick Summary How do you write a chemical formula? Step 1 write down each symbol & charge (what group = charge!) Step 2 crisscross the charges to make subscripts (little numbers down below ) What is the chemical formula for aluminum sulfide? 3 Step 1 3 Al +3 (in group 13) S -2 (in group 16) Step 2 3 Al 2 S 3
What do chemical formulas tell you? 1 what elements are in the compound 2 how many elements are in the compound 3 and, it might tell you what TYPE of compound it is
What type of compound…? 1. if a formula starts with Carbon… it is an organic compound. For example; CH 4, C 3 H 8, C 12 H 22 O 11
What type of compound…? 2. if a formula starts with Hydrogen… it is an acid For example; H 2 SO 4, H 3 PO 4, HCl
What type of compound…? 3. and, if a formula ends with –OH… it is a base. For example; NaOH, Ba(OH) 2, KOH