What is the formula for the ionic compound formed from each cation and anion cesium and nitrite?

CsNO₃

Explanation:

Ionic compounds are formed by an anion (negative charge) and cation (positive charge). When you write the formula, you should write the cation before the anion.

1. Find the ion formulas for the two atoms.

On your periodic table, it will say cesium is Cs⁺. It has the positive charge 1 (cesium is the cation).

On your data sheet/polyatomic ions chart, it will say nitrate is NO₃⁻. It has the negative charge 1 (nitrate is the anion).

2. Write the cation before the anion.

Cs⁺ NO₃⁻

Since nitrate is polyatomic (more than one element), write brackets so you don't get confused.

Cs⁺ (NO₃⁻)

3. "Cross-over"

Each atom will take the charge number of its partner as the number of atoms (subscript). If the charge only says ⁺ or ⁻, then the charge is 1.

Cs⁺₁ (NO₃⁻) ₁

4. Clean up

We do not need any of the charges in the formula.

Cs₁ (NO₃) ₁

We also don't need the number of atoms if it is "1".

Cs (NO₃)

We do no need to write any brackets if there is only one atom of a polyatomic ion.

CsNO₃

This is the formula.