- #1
Geekchick
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Homework Statement
Write the formula for magnesium nitrate.
2. The attempt at a solution
Okay, so I get that I have to list the cation first and then the anion. I also understand that I have to take the charges into consideration and end up with a neutral compound. My question is why is the formula for magnesium nitrate
Mg(NO3)2
If Mg+2 N-3 and O[tex]^{3}_{-2}[/tex] to me it seems that O would have a total charge of -6 add the N charge and that's -9 while Mg has just +2. So this doesn't seem to equal out, plus I don't understand where the subscript 2 is from.
Thanks for the help sorry if this is a simple question.