CO(carbonmonoxide) why can't we right it Oc
how do i know which elment hs to be written first
does it depend on the outershell and when do i capatalize the letter
2007-10-20 14:17:06 · 3 answers · asked by what ever ? 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
'C' comes first in the formula followed by the single 'O'. The single 'O' is a 'Mono'- Oxide of the element Carbon.
(The last 'o' is dropped to give 'Monoxide').
(It could be called 'Oxide of Carbon' but is still CO).
The first letter of an elemental symbol is always capitalised.
Elements with 2 letters in their symbol have the upper case letter followed by the lower case as in Fe (Ferrum) Iron.
Na (Natrium) Sodium..etc.
2007-10-20 14:31:58 · answer #1 · answered by Norrie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because it is carbon monoxide, the custom is to write C first and O second. Capital O is the symbol for oxygen. Also, Co is the symbol for cobalt. You see the problem.
2007-10-20 21:22:44 · answer #2 · answered by steve_geo1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the cation is written first by everyone. the cation is the positive one.
2007-10-20 21:20:51 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋