Mississippi Science PHS.3.3
The Standard
- PHS.3
- Students will analyze the organization of the periodic table of elements to predict atomic interactions.
Using naming conventions for binary compounds, write the compound name from the formula, and write balanced formulas from the name (e.g., carbon dioxide - CO2, sodium chloride - NaCl, iron III oxide- Fe2O3, and calcium bromide - CaBr2).
2026 Mississippi College- and Career-Readiness Standards for Science · Periodic Table
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students name compounds made of two elements from their formulas and write formulas from their names. They use ion charges for compounds made of a metal and a nonmetal. They use prefixes to count atoms in compounds made of two nonmetals.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Given Fe₂O₃, a student writes iron(III) oxide and explains how Fe³⁺ and O²⁻ make a neutral compound. Given carbon dioxide, they write CO₂ and use the prefix to explain the oxygen count.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may read iron(III) as three iron atoms instead of a 3+ charge. They may write CaBr instead of CaBr₂ because they do not check total charge. They may try to balance charges for carbon dioxide instead of reading the prefix.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: Name Fe₂O₃ and CO₂, then write formulas for calcium bromide and carbon monoxide. Show the ion charges used for iron(III) oxide and calcium bromide.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs Fe³⁺ and O²⁻ ion cards; have them arrange the fewest cards that make zero charge, then write Fe₂O₃.
Ask students to explain in writing why the 2 in carbon dioxide counts oxygen atoms, but the III in iron(III) oxide gives iron's charge.
Use matching cards for CO₂, NaCl, Fe₂O₃, and CaBr₂ and their names; partners turn cards over and explain each match.
Show a photo of a road salt bag labeled calcium chloride; students write CaCl₂ from ion charges and explain the two chlorides.
Free download
Printable PHS.3.3 Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to PHS.3.3, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.
Download the worksheetKeep exploring
Related Standards
- CHE.5.3
Generate names of ionic and covalent compounds from their formulas. Name binary compounds, binary acids, stock compounds, ternary compounds, and ternary acids.
- PHS.3.4
Use naming conventions to name common acids and common compounds used in classroom labs (e.g., sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), NaHCO3; hydrochloric acid, HCl;...
- CHE.5.1
Use the periodic table and a list of common polyatomic ions as a model to derive chemical compound formulas from compound names and compound names from chemical...
- CHE.5.2
Generate formulas of ionic and covalent compounds from compound names. Discuss compounds in everyday life and compile lists and uses of these chemicals.
Turn this exact standard into a lesson
Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.
Also for this standard:Make a WorksheetMake a QuizMake a Sub Lesson