Here is the example in video form.
We’re asked to write the formula for calcium carbonate Write the formula for calcium carbonate Ca 2+ CO 3 2– +2 –2 Total Positive Charge Total Negative Charge
We start by finding calcium on the periodic table. Write the formula for calcium carbonate Ca 2+ CO 3 2– +2 –2 Total Positive Charge Total Negative Charge
It’s ion has only one possible charge, positive 2. (click) So its just Ca 2 plus Write the formula for calcium carbonate Ca 2+ CO 3 2– +2 –2 Total Positive Charge Total Negative Charge
The second word carbonate, ends in “Ate”, Write the formula for calcium carbonate Ca 2+ CO 3 2– +2 –2 Total Positive Charge Total Negative Charge
so it must be a polyatomic ion Write the formula for calcium carbonate Ca 2+ CO 3 2– +2 –2 Total Positive Charge Total Negative Charge It must be a polyatomic ion
Looking on the ion table, we see that carbonate is CO3 with a negative 2 charge. Formulas and Charges of Common Ions calcium carbonate
So we’ll write CO3 2 minus here Write the formula for calcium carbonate Ca 2+ CO 3 2– +2 –2 Total Positive Charge Total Negative Charge
With one calcium ion and one carbonate ion, (click) The total positive charge is positive two Write the formula for calcium carbonate Ca 2+ CO 3 2– +2 –2 Total Positive Charge
And the total negative charge is negative 2 Write the formula for calcium carbonate Ca 2+ CO 3 2– +2 –2 Total Positive Charge Total Negative Charge
These add up to zero, so they are balanced. Write the formula for calcium carbonate Ca 2+ CO 3 2– +2 –2 Total Positive Charge Total Negative Charge These add up to zero
So the formula is just CaCO3. Write the formula for calcium carbonate Ca 2+ CO 3 2– Formula: CaCO 3
Because there is only one carbonate ion in the formula Write the formula for calcium carbonate Ca 2+ CO 3 2– Formula: CaCO 3 Only 1 carbonate ion in the formula, so no brackets!
No brackets are needed around the CO3 in the formula. Write the formula for calcium carbonate Ca 2+ CO 3 2– Formula: CaCO 3 Only 1 carbonate ion in the formula, so no brackets!
So the final answer is: The formula for calcium carbonate is (Click) CaCO3 Write the formula for calcium carbonate Ca 2+ CO 3 2– Formula: CaCO 3