Chemical Formulas and Ionic Charges
Understanding ionic charges and formulas is essential for OCR A level chemistry paper 1 flashcards. Common ions include nitrate (NO₃⁻), zinc (Zn²⁺), carbonate (CO₃²⁻), sulfate (SO₄²⁻), and silver(I) (Ag⁺). Each ion's charge affects how it combines with other ions to form compounds.
Example: When zinc (Zn²⁺) combines with sulfate (SO₄²⁻), the resulting compound is ZnSO₄, where the opposite charges balance to form a neutral compound.
The atomic structure consists of a positively charged nucleus containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by electron shells. Protons have a mass of 1 and charge of +1, electrons have a mass of 1/1836 and charge of -1, while neutrons have a mass of 1 and no charge.
These fundamental particles and their arrangements determine the chemical behavior of elements and compounds, making them crucial concepts for understanding chemical reactions and bonding.