In this video we'll write the correct formula for Carbon Dioxide.

To write the formula for Carbon Dioxide we’ll use the Periodic Table and follow some simple rules.
When we have a non-metal and a non-metal we have a molecular compound (sometimes called covalent). Molecular compounds are some of the simplest to name.

Keys for Writing the Formulas for Molecular Compounds:

- Write the element symbol for both elements.
- Place a subscript after each element according to its prefix.

Note: Don’t write the subscript '1'.

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Prefixes
mono- 1
di- 2
tri- 3
tetra- 4
penta- 5
hexa- 6
hepta- 7
octa- 8
nona- 9
deca- 10
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Caution: We only write "mono" for the second element in a molecular compound. So CO would be carbon monoxide. Monocarbon monooxide is incorrect.

For a complete tutorial on naming and formula writing visit:

http://www.thegeoexchange.org/chemistry/naming/resources/learning_naming.php

or watch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmdxMlb88Fs https://youtu.be/i_bcCmL3U28

Drawing/writing done in InkScape. Screen capture done with Camtasia Studio 4.0. Done on a Dell Dimension laptop computer with a Wacom digital tablet (Bamboo).