Determining Chemical Formulas
A Yakima WATERS Mini Lesson
Targets and Assessment
WA Science Standards Addressed:
9-11
PS2C
When elements are listed in order according to
the number of protons, repeating patterns of
physical and chemical properties identify
families of elements with similar properties. This
Periodic Table is a consequence of the
repeating pattern of outermost electrons.
Assessments:
 Formative assessment: pre-exercise quiz (see
attached.
 Summative assessment: post exercise quiz (see
attached)
Lesson Parameters
Content Area: Chemistry
Overview: Students will be using paper models of elements
to make chemical bonds which they will then use to write
chemical formulas.
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Suggested Time: 1.5 to 2 hours
Special Materials:
 Paper models of elements (see accompanying
document)
Learning Outcomes:
Knowledge: Upon completion of this lesson, the students should be able explain the basic principles of
chemical bonding and the concept of chemical formulas using the following terms:
o Ionic bond
o Covalent bond
o Valence electrons
o Octet rule
o Ionization
Skill: Students should be able to correctly write chemical formulas and explain the concepts behind
chemical bonding.
Science Concept Background:
A chemical formula is a combination of elemental symbols and numbers used to show the composition
of a compound made by chemical bonding. The number of valence electrons, types of bonding, and special
characteristics must be taken into account.
The number of valence electrons, or electrons found in the outer shell of an atom, is very important
when figuring out what the element will bond with. Elements generally want to fill their outer subshell to
comply with the Octet Rule which makes them more stable. The number of valence electrons can be figured
out by using the periodic table. Any element in group 1 (running vertically) will have 1 valence electron.
Elements in group 2 will have two valence electrons, and so forth through the rest of the eight groups in the
periodic table. The only exception to this rule is found with the transition metals, why lie in the middle of the
periodic table. They can be found with a different number of valence electrons depending on what state or
environment they are in.
When two elements share valence electrons to fulfill the octet rule, they form a bond (either covalent
or ionic). An ionic bond consists of two elements- one being a metal (including the transition metals) and one
being a non-metal. A covalent bond, however, is formed between two non-metal elements. It is important to
distinguish between the two when it comes to figure out the chemical name, but for figuring out chemical
formulas it’s not very necessary.
There are some special cases where these rules don’t necessarily apply, as with acids and hydrates.
Acids have their own formula (usually starting with Hydrogen) and they usually have a common name and
hydrates are usually found in the presence of water. For the purpose of this lab, both groups are not included.
However it could be expanded to include them.
Materials:
Scissors, glue, pencil, provided worksheets (see attached)
Procedure:
1) Give the formative assessment provided (see attached) the day prior to the lesson. This will help
the instructor have an idea of what your students understand about the periodic table and
chemical formulas.
2) Give a lecture on the periodic table:
a. Groups of the periodic table (including valance electrons)
b. Octet rule
c. Introduce chemical formulas.
3) Hand out exercise and have them complete it (following directions provided).
4) Follow up: have students group in two and present each answer to the class; explaining why how
they came about their answer.
5) Follow up with summative assessment.
Extension(s):
This lesson is useful because it not only teaches the students about writing chemical formulas, but it
also leads into different types of chemical bonding. A lesson on chemical bonding and naming would great to
come after this exercise
Teaching Tips:
For this lesson it is important for the students to have some background knowledge of the periodic
table. They should be able to calculate the number of valence electrons based on the group number and
predict what elements they would potentially bond with to fulfill the octet rule. Use the pre-exercise quiz to
gauge where to start your lecture based on this assignment.
Supplements:
Chemistry text book (which ever your class uses), periodic table, helpful video:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vscoYh6m46M, helpful website for additional assistance:
www.chemicalformula.org/chemistry-help/writing-chemical-formula
By: John (Eric) Inions, Fall 2011, for Davis High School
Determining Chemical Formulas
Name:_____________
Directions: Cut out the ions from the two attached pages as needed. For questions 1-5: glue them in place,
and write the formula for each. Follow your teacher’s example. Then write the formulas for the rest using the
ion cut-outs for help.
1. Magnesium Chloride
Formula:
2. Hydrogen Iodide
Formula:
3. Potassium Sulfide
Formula:
4. Lithium Carbonate
Formula:
5. Hydrogen Fluoride
Formula:
6. Calcium Hydroxide
16. Rubidium Iodide
7. Copper (II) Oxide
17. Sodium Chloride
8. Iron (II) Chloride
18. Radium Bromide
9.Aluminum Sulfate
19. Zinc Oxide
10. Aluminum Oxide
20. Calcium Oxide
11. Calcium Nitrate
21. Aluminum Bromide
12. Sodium Cyanide
22. Barium Cyanate
13. Copper (I) Sulfate
23. Sodium Thiosulfate
14. Ammonium Hydroxide
24. Ammonium Phosphate
15. Calcium Hypochlorite
25.Lithium Fluoride
Pre-exercise Quiz
Name:________________
1. Describe the following terms (trends) from the periodic table. Use examples if necessary.
a. Familiesb. Groupsc. Transition metals-
2. Define valence electrons:
3. Define and describe the Octet Rule. Use examples if necessary.
Post exercise Quiz
Name:________________
1. Define and describe the Octet Rule. Use examples if necessary
2. Why do elements (atoms) want to bond with others?
3. Determine the chemical formulas for the following compounds
a. Calcium Oxide
b. Aluminum Oxide
c. Barium Cyanide
d. Zinc Oxide
e. Copper (II) Sulfate
Answer Key:
Pre-Lesson
1.
A.
2.
3.
Families- are groups of elements that have similar chemical properties. Examples: alkali metals,
Halogen gases, Noble gases, etc.
B.
Groups- separated into vertical columns. All the elements in the same group have the same
number of valence electrons.
C.
Transition metals- don’t follow the octet rule. They can have more than eight electrons in their
shell.
Valence electrons are the electrons in the outer shell of an atom. They are the ones responsible for
reacting with other electrons forming chemical bonds.
The octet rule says that atoms prefer to have a stable outer shell having composed of eight electrons.
Atoms will tend to give up or receive electrons to fill their outer shell.
Answer Key:
Post-Lesson
1.
2.
3.
The octet rule says that atoms prefer to have a stable outer shell having composed of eight electrons.
Atoms will tend to give up or receive electrons to fill their outer shell.
Atoms want to bond with another in order to become more stable fulfilling the octet rule.
a. CaO
b. Al2O3
c. Ba(CN)2
d. ZnO
e. CuSO4