1. Writing Balanced Chemical formulas

2. IONIC COMPOUNDS
Are the trickiest

3. Step 1: Determine what bond you have/ what are the parts of your compound
Strontium Phophate
Strontium Phosphate
Metal Non-Metal
IONIC Compound

4. Step 2: Determine the charge of each part of your compound
Strontium Phosphate
HINT: if there are roman numerals… it is telling you the charge
I= II= III= IV=4 V=5

5. Step 3: What is the smallest value both numbers can go into (smarties call this Least Common Multiple :0)
Strontium Phosphate
Typically this value will be the product of your two charges
2 X 3 = 6

6. Step 4: how many of each would you need to get that value?
Strontium Phosphate
2 X ?= X ?= 6
2 X 3= X 2= 6
Need Need 2
Sr Phosphate

7. Step 5: Write it out
Strontium Phophate 3 2

8. Step 6: Double check 2 Phosphate 3 Strontium Each is 3- Charge
Total 6- Charge
3 Strontium
Each is 2+ charge
Total 6+ Charge
6+ cancels out 6- and we have a neutral/ stable molecule

9. Covalent COMPOUNDS
Are easy peasy

10. Step 1: Figure out the prefix… and USE IT!!!!
WORD! Drop the mic