Predict the chemical formula of the ionic compound formed...

Predict the chemical formula of the ionic compound formed between the following pairs of elements: (a) Al and Cl, (b) $\mathrm{Mg}$ and $\mathrm{O},(\mathbf{c}) \mathrm{Zn}$ and $\mathrm{Cl}$, (d) $\mathrm{Li}$ and $\mathrm{O}$.

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Key Concepts

Ionic Bonding

Ionic bonding involves the electrostatic attraction between positively charged cations and negatively charged anions that form when electrons are transferred from one atom to another. This process typically occurs between metals, which tend to lose electrons, and nonmetals, which tend to gain electrons, resulting in the formation of electrically neutral compounds.

Oxidation States

Determining the oxidation states of elements is crucial for predicting the formulas of ionic compounds. Each element has a characteristic tendency to gain or lose a certain number of electrons, which corresponds to its typical oxidation state in ionic compounds. This information is used to determine the charge on the resulting ions, such as +3 for certain metal ions or -2 for specific nonmetal ions.

Charge Neutrality

The principle of charge neutrality requires that the total positive charge from the cations balances the total negative charge from the anions in an ionic compound. This concept is fundamental when predicting and writing the chemical formula of an ionic compound, as the subscripts in the formula must reflect the ratio of ions that results in an electrically neutral entity.

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