Writing Balanced Formula Equations and Ion Equations
1. Write the chemical symbol for each substance in the word equation.
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
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If it’s an element – just write the symbol for the element.
If it’s an element that ends in ‘GEN’ or ‘INE’, it’s the symbol for the
element with a subscript 2 (2) after.
If it’s a compound you need to work out the chemical formula (ionic or
covalent/prefixes).
2. To balance the equation, start by making a tally of each atom in the equation.
3. Add big numbers in front of formulae, where needed to balance your tally.
Big numbers apply to each element in the chemical formula of a compound.
4. If the question asks for an ion equation, add in the charge (superscript valency
number with a +/- after e.g. Cu2+) for each element in the IONIC
COMPOUNDS. Elements and covalent compounds do not get charges.
5. If the question asks you to remove the spectator ions, cross out any ions that
are the same on both sides of the arrow.
Writing Balanced Formula Equations and Ion Equations
1. Write the chemical symbol for each substance in the word equation.



If it’s an element – just write the symbol for the element.
If it’s an element that ends in ‘GEN’ or ‘INE’, it’s the symbol for the
element with a subscript 2 (2) after.
If it’s a compound you need to work out the chemical formula using
SVSDF.
2. To balance the equation, start by making a tally of each atom in the equation.
3. Add big numbers in front of formulae, where needed to balance your tally.
Big numbers apply to each element in the chemical formula of a compound.
4. If the question asks for an ion equation, add in the charge (superscript valency
number with a +/- after e.g. Cu2+) for each element in the IONIC
COMPOUNDS. Elements and covalent compounds do not get charges.
5. If the question asks you to remove the spectator ions, cross out any ions that
are the same on both sides of the arrow.