Chemical Formula by expected charges

[Jocelyn Thorp 1A]

for 2A.23, it asks to give the chemical formula based on the charges of the elements involved in the compounds. How do you know what the charge is in order to calculate this? In the problem, it asks to give the formula for magnesium arsenide, so if that can be used as an example, it'd be helpful.

[Megan Ngai- 3B]

If you look up periodic table charges on Google images, it shows the charges per group (it's easy to remember). So Mg has a charge of +2 and As has a charge of -3. Therefore it would be Mg3As2.

[Jocelyn Thorp 1A]

If you look up periodic table charges on Google images, it shows the charges per group (it's easy to remember). So Mg has a charge of +2 and As has a charge of -3. Therefore it would be Mg3As2.

Oh, this is super useful! Do you know where the formal charge comes from?