Name-inator Banner
Home  |  Change Level/Topics

How to Write the Formula for Magnesium phosphide

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 Magnesium phosphide use the hints and resources below to help write the formula.

Hint for Writing the Formula for Magnesium phosphide

Magnesium phosphide is a binary ionic compound so we'll need to balance ionic charges.
  • Write the element symbols for Magnesium and Phosphorus.
  • Use the Periodic Table to find the ionic charges for Magnesium and Phosphorus.
  • Balance the charges to make sure the net (overall) charge on the compound is zero.
  • Smile, this one is a bit more difficult.

Magnesium phosphide Resources