Naming compounds and finding formulas

Are you called Xavier? I envy you.

Thought it might be a nice break. Back to work though. Scientists... For naming compounds they stick to 2 simple rules. What do we even pay them for? Maybe it's enhancing our lives and stuff. Who cares.

Rule 1:

When two different elements combine the compound's name is "something-ide".

So, if sodium and chlorine combine, you get a compound called sodium chloride. How inventive he said cynically.

Rule 2:

When three or more different elements combine and one of them is oxygen. The compounds name is "something-ate".

Really need an example? Copper, sulfur and oxygen combine to make copper sulfate.

SO:

• 2 = ide
• 3+ = ate

Now the difficult bit! 

Finding the formula

You have to balance the charges:

If you look closely... they're not real children

So if you have 22 positive charges, get 22 negative charges. If you have a magnesium ion that has a positive charge of 2 then you need an ion that has a negative charge of 2 or 2 ions with a negative charge of 1. If you like the maths side then see below... and you're probably single but that's not the point.

2 (positive charge) - 1(negative charge) - 1(second negative charge) = 0

SO 2 - 1- 1 = 0 

OR 2 - 2  = 0

All done.