Formula Writing for Acids: Explanation, Flowchart, and Practice

A guide to writing formulas for acids using a simple flowchart, common ion table, and lots of examples and practice.

To write formulas for acids we need to determine if it is a binary acid (two different elements) or and oxyacid (three different elements, one of which is oxygen).

We'll use a flowchart to write the formula for acids.

For a Common Ion Table visit:

General Rules

Stem + ous
1. Write the ion: stem + ite
2. Look up ion on Common Ion Table.
3. Write H and then the ion formula.
4. Balance the charges.

Hydro + stem + ic
1. Write H.
2. Use the stem to find element name on the
periodic table.
3. Balance the charges.

Stem + ic
1. Write the ion: stem + ate
2. Look up ion on Common Ion Table.
3. Write H and then the ion formula.
4. Balance the charges.

---Formula Writing Resources---

For a complete tutorial on naming and formula writing for compounds, like Boric Acid and more, visit:

For a Common Ion Table:

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