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How to Write the Formula for Calcium oxide

Learning to name chemical compounds requires that you:

  • Determine the type of compound you are working with.
  • Apply the rules for naming that type of compound.
  • Practice until it becomes second nature.
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Get more practice writing formulas for compounds.

For Calcium oxide use the hints and resources below to help write the formula.

Hint for Writing the Formula for Calcium oxide

Calcium (Ca) is a metal and Oxygen (O) is a non-metal. That makes this an ionic compound.

Since Calcium oxide is ionic we need to balance charges when we write the formula.

Ca is Group 2 on the Periodic Table. It forms ions with a +2 charge.

O is Group 6A (also called 16) on the Periodic Table. It forms ions with a -2 charge.

Make sure the charges for the entire compound equal zero.
Calcium oxide Resources