In the chemical formula for an ionic compound, which ion is written first?

• A. The anion
• B. The ion with the smaller atomic number
• C. The cation
• D. The ion with the larger charge

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that an ionic compound is formed from positively charged ions (cations) and negatively charged ions (anions).
2. Recall the convention for writing chemical formulas of ionic compounds: the cation is always written first, followed by the anion.
3. Recognize that this order reflects the positive charge coming before the negative charge in the formula.
4. Note that the atomic number or the magnitude of the charge does not determine the order; it is the type of ion (cation vs anion) that matters.
5. Therefore, in the chemical formula for an ionic compound, the cation is written first, followed by the anion.