Interpreting a Chemical Formula

• What does the periodic table show us?

  All of the different elements
• What does each element in the periodic table have?

  A symbol that starts with a capital letter
• What does a chemical formula tell us?

  The elements in a molecule and the numbers of atoms of each element
• In the chemical formula for hydrogen fluoride, what are the symbols for the elements?

  Hydrogen (H) and Fluorine (F)
• How can you determine the number of atoms of hydrogen in hydrogen fluoride?

  There is no number to the right of hydrogen, indicating one atom
• How can you determine the number of atoms of fluorine in hydrogen fluoride?

  There is no number to the right of fluorine, indicating one atom
• What is the chemical formula for potassium iodide?

  KI
• What elements are present in potassium iodide?

  Potassium and Iodine
• How many atoms of potassium are in potassium iodide?

  One atom of potassium
• How many atoms of iodine are in potassium iodide?

  One atom of iodine
• What is the chemical formula for calcium sulfate?

  CaSO$_4$
• What elements are present in calcium sulfate?

  Calcium, Sulfur, and Oxygen
• How many atoms of calcium are in calcium sulfate?

  One atom of calcium
• How many atoms of sulfur are in calcium sulfate?

  One atom of sulfur
• How many atoms of oxygen are in calcium sulfate?

  Four atoms of oxygen
• What does a small number to the right of an element symbol indicate?

  The number of atoms of that element in the compound
• What does a small number to the right of brackets in a chemical formula indicate?

  It multiplies the number of atoms inside the brackets
• What is the chemical formula for magnesium hydroxide?

  Mg(OH)$_2$
• What elements are present in magnesium hydroxide?

  Magnesium, Oxygen, and Hydrogen
• How many atoms of magnesium are in magnesium hydroxide?

  One atom of magnesium
• How many atoms of oxygen are in magnesium hydroxide?

  Two atoms of oxygen
• How many atoms of hydrogen are in magnesium hydroxide?

  Two atoms of hydrogen
• What are the elements and number of atoms in the compound copper iodide?

  • Elements: Copper and Iodine
  • Number of atoms: 1 atom of Copper and 1 atom of Iodine
• What are the elements and number of atoms in the compound iron bromide?

  • Elements: Iron and Bromine
  • Number of atoms: 1 atom of Iron and 2 atoms of Bromine
• What are the elements and number of atoms in the compound zinc carbonate?

  • Elements: Zinc, Carbon, and Oxygen
  • Number of atoms: 1 atom of Zinc, 1 atom of Carbon, and 3 atoms of Oxygen
• What are the elements and number of atoms in the compound aluminum oxide?

  • Elements: Aluminum and Oxygen
  • Number of atoms: 1 atom of Aluminum, 3 atoms of Oxygen, and 3 atoms of Hydrogen