Criss Cross Method for Predicting Formulas

Ions attract one another to form neutral compounds. We will employ the criss cross method to predict the ratio of ions in a compound and therefore predict the chemical formula. Lets look at 2 ions sodium (Na+1) and Chlorine (Cl 1). We know that theseions com!ine in a 1"1 ratio. 1 Na ion for e#ery 1 Cl ion. $he compound that results is NaCl (sodium chloride) Now lets use the criss cross method. In the criss cross method you take the num!er for the char%e on an ion (i%nore the positi#e and ne%ati#e) and you make it the other atoms su!script.

Na+1 Ca+2

Cl-1 Cl-1

Na1Cl1 Ca1Cl2

NaCl

Now lets look at Calcium Chloride (CaCl2)

CaCl2 AlCl3

Now lets look at &luminum Chloride

Al

+3

Cl-1

Al1Cl3

&s you can see knowin% the char%e of the ions makes it e'tremely simple to predict formulas. Lets take a look at (odium )'ide

Na+1 Mg+2

O2O2-

Na2O1 Mg2O2

Na2O MgO

Lets take a look at *a%nesium )'ide

In a case like this where you ha#e two ions that ha#e the same num!er for an o'idation state you want to find the least common multiple of the num!ers. &lways reduce the compound to its simplest form when dealin% with ionic compounds. &luminum )'ide

Al+3

O2-

Al2O3

(o lets check if this method has still %enerated a compound with a net + char%e. $o do this all we need to do is add up all the positi#e char%es and add that to the sum of all the ne%ati#e char%es. 2 &l+, - +, + +, - +. , )2 - 2 + 2 + 2 - . +. + . - + neutral compound $herefore the compound/s formula is correct. What would the formula for 0!1+ and )2 !e2

Pb+4

O2-

Pb2O4

PbO2

3emem!er always reduce to the least common multiple.