How to Know the Charge of Ions

[gabbymaraziti]

How are we expected to know the charge of ions quickly (SO4 2-, CO3 2-)? Are we going to be given the ligand table shared by Prof. Lavelle on the final?

If not, what is the method for accurately determining the charge of an ion?

[Gabriella Bates 2L]

Unfortunately, the only way to know the charge of a common poly atomic ions, such as SO4 2-, is through memorization. I recommend flashcards. And Lavelle won't give us the ligand table for naming coordination compounds, we have to memorize that as well.

[Charysa Santos 4G]

If you want to calculate the charges using your knowledge of the periodic table and elemental charges that occur from it, you could do that, but it is time consuming and tedious. Like the person above mentioned, it would be in your best interest to just memorize these charges in order to conserve time on the final in the case that a question asks about it.

[Sally kim 4F]

The only way that I know those charges quickly is because I memorized the polyatomic ions. There are lots of ways to memorize the ions, do whatever helps you best memorize. I did it by making them into words. So for example, CO3 2-, in my head it would be cow 2. So like the 3 turns into a "w" and then I just memorize the word with a "2" at the end. I hope that makes sense? It's kind of silly memorizing it that way but that's how I did it in high school.

[cassidysong 1K]

Yeah unfortunately I think we just need to memorize the charges of the common ions

[Patricia Chan 1C]

I think the best way to determine ion charges is just to memorize them :/ it's a bit tedious, but if you just go through some flashcards with them you'll be able to familiarize yourself with them in no time. Hope this helps!

[stephaniekim2K]

You will have to memorize the polyatomic ions, but I'm pretty sure he won't give anything that's too difficult.

[emaad_3H]

You just have to memorize them.