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Ionic Compounds

Chemistry: IB Diploma Higher Level, topic 2.6.2

Empirical Formulae

You can work out the proportion of each ion in a compound. The empirical formula of an ionic compound is the simplest ratio of ions possible.

Ca2+ and F-

Ca2+ and F-

  • In order for the charges to balance out and for the overall formula to be neutral, there must be 2 F- ions for each Ca2+ ion.
  • The empirical formula is CaF2.
Na+ + SO42-

Na+ + SO42-

  • In order for the charges to balance out and for the overall formula to be neutral, there must be 2 Na+ ions for each SO42- ion.
  • The empirical formula is Na2SO4.

Test yourself on Ionic Compounds

  • What do we call the electrostatic forces that hold ionic lattices together?

  • What type of structure are ionic lattices?

  • Which of the following is true about ionic lattices?

  • What type of forces hold ionic lattices together?

  • If an ionic compound contained Mg2+ and O2- ions, what would the empirical formula be?

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