Formula Writing for Acids: Explanation, Flowchart, and Practice

A guide to writing formulas for acids using a simple flowchart, common ion table, and lots of examples and practice.

To write formulas for acids we need to determine if it is a binary acid (two different elements) or and oxyacid (three different elements, one of which is oxygen).

We'll use a flowchart to write the formula for acids.

Practice writing formulas for acids: www.breslyn.org/chemistry/naming.

Finding Ionic Charge for Elements:    • Finding the Ionic Charge for Elements...  

For a Common Ion Table visit:
http://www.breslyn.org/chemistry/nami...

General Rules

Stem + ous
1. Write the ion: stem + ite
2. Look up ion on Common Ion Table.
3. Write H and then the ion formula.
4. Balance the charges.

Hydro + stem + ic
1. Write H.
2. Use the stem to find element name on the
periodic table.
3. Balance the charges.

Stem + ic
1. Write the ion: stem + ate
2. Look up ion on Common Ion Table.
3. Write H and then the ion formula.
4. Balance the charges.

--Formula Writing Resources--

Finding Ionic Charge:    • Figuring out the Charge on Ions  
Memorizing Polyatomic Ions:    • Memorizing and Using the List of Poly...  
Criss-Cross Method:    • The Criss-Cross Method for Writing Ch...  
For a complete tutorial on naming and formula writing for compounds, like Boric Acid and more, visit:

For a Common Ion Table:
http://www.thegeoexchange.org/chemist...

http://www.breslyn.org/chemistry/naming