Table of contents

3. Chemical Reactions

Naming Ionic Compounds

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Multiple Choice

In the chemical formula of an ionic compound, where is the cation written?

Above the anion

In parentheses after the anion

Before the anion

After the anion

Verified step by step guidance

Understand that in the chemical formula of an ionic compound, the cation is the positively charged ion and the anion is the negatively charged ion.

Recall the convention for writing ionic formulas: the cation is always written first, followed by the anion.

This order reflects the way ionic compounds are named and represented, emphasizing the positive ion before the negative ion.

Note that the cation is not written above, in parentheses after, or after the anion; it is always placed before the anion in the formula.

Therefore, the correct placement of the cation in an ionic compound's formula is before the anion.

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