When you have a choice of two or three ions, how do you determine which one to use in your cations/anions? Thanks!!
What do you mean? Can you give me an example?
If their polyatomic, your going to just have to memorize the charges.
It depends on the reaction. If you are writing net ionic equations, you need to look for what is the product, and record the species of ions involved
Just a note to help in your writing. You should have written, "If they are or you could write the contraction they're) polyatomic, you areor you could have written the contraction you're) going to just ......charges.
Haha thanks. Everytime I'm on the internet, I always do that, espcially instant messaging.
It's a way of saving time with typing BUT it isn't a good habit to form. One time, long before I retired, I wrote a note to a colleague something like this, "If you wish I can order to of those for you to." He called to tell me to order two more and I looked at the note I had written. I'm sure I had to in my mind and I just wrote it both places instead of writing, "If you wish I can order two of those for you, too." Man, was I embarrassed. But it taught me to be a better proof reader. Through life we don't catch all those errors we make but we should make an effort to catch them, anyway. For IMing that sort of thing is ok. For texting it's generally ok. But for boards like this, ESPECIALLY where we have English teachers watching, we should write complete sentences in good English. I could use some help there, to/two/too. :)
LOL! That was funny. Yeah, I usually don't tend make mistakes like that when I'm writing it out, but on the internet, anything goes for me. I'll try to correct myself in the futre.
I mean like when you have an element, let's say iron, and you have the choice between choosing two and three as a charge.
It depends what the direction they say.
If they say Iron (III) its iron 3.
So Fe^3 would be the correct way to write it.
Read the directions.
Fe forms two usual kinds of compounds, both iron(II) and iron(III). Unless you are balancing an oxidation-reduction equation, stay with the ion you started with. For example,
FeCl2 + 2AgNO3 ==> Fe(NO3)2 + 2AgCl
Note that I have iron(II) on left and right. But, if I have
FeCl3 + 3AgNO3 ==> Fe(NO3)3 + 3AgCl
Here I have iron(III) on left and right.
When you have a choice between two or three ions, determining which one to use as the cation or anion requires understanding of the periodic table and the ionic charges of the elements. Here's a step-by-step process to help you determine which ion to choose:
1. Identify the elements: Determine which elements are being considered as cations and anions in the given chemical or ionic compound.
2. Determine the ion's charge: Look up the periodic table and locate the element within the same group (vertical column) as the element in question. Elements in the same group have similar chemical properties, including similar ion charges.
3. Consider the common charges: Some elements have common or well-known ion charges. For example, elements in Group 1 of the periodic table, such as sodium (Na), typically have a +1 cation charge, while elements in Group 2, like calcium (Ca), generally have a +2 cation charge. Similarly, some anions are commonly known to have specific charges, such as chloride (Cl-) having a -1 charge.
4. Consider the overall compound charge: In an ionic compound, the sum of the charges of the cations and anions must equal zero. From the chemical formula or compound name, determine the overall charge of the compound. This will guide you in selecting the correct ions.
5. Balance the charges: Adjust the ratio of cations and anions in the compound to balance out the charges. For example, if the compound needs a +3 charge, you might choose an ion with a +2 charge and an ion with a -1 charge.
6. Use brackets when necessary: If you need to use more than one of the same ion to balance the compound's charge, place the ion in brackets and indicate the number of ions using a subscript. For example, if you need two chloride ions (Cl-) to balance the charge, represent it as 2Cl-.
Remember, this is a general process, and there may be exceptions or specific rules for certain elements. Pay attention to oxidation states and consult reliable sources or textbooks to confirm ion charges when in doubt.