Name-inator Banner
Home  |  Change Level/Topics

How to Write the Formula for Calcium phosphate

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.
 Name-inator Banner

Get more practice writing formulas for compounds.

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

Hint for Writing the Formula for Calcium phosphate

We have a metal (Calcium) and then a polyatomic ion (when you see a name ending in ate it is likely an ion). That means it's a ternary ionic compound.
  • Write the element symbol and ionic charge for Calcium.
  • Look up the name and charge for phosphate ion on the Common Ion Table
  • Balance the charges so the total charge on the compound is zero. Use parentheses around the phosphate if you have more than one.

Calcium phosphate Resources