======Ionic Cut and Match======


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**Alternative titles:** Ion Matching Game
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====Summary====                   
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====Procedure====  
  -Prepare three sets of cards: one with cation names, one with anion names, and one with chemical formulas.
  -Distribute sets of cards to student groups.
  -Students work to correctly match cations with anions to form the correct formulas.
  -Check answers and discuss naming rules for ionic compounds.
**Card Examples (to cut and match)**

Cations:
  * Sodium (Na⁺)
  * Calcium (Ca²⁺)
  * Aluminum (Al³⁺)
  * Potassium (K⁺)

Anions:
  * Chloride (Cl⁻)
  * Sulfide (S²⁻)
  * Oxide (O²⁻)
  * Nitrate (NO₃⁻)

Formulas:
  * NaCl
  * CaS
  * Al₂O₃
  * KNO₃


====Links==== 
Putting Ions in their Hands - FlinnScientific: 
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====Variations====
  *Add transition metals with variable charges (e.g., Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺) for advanced practice.
  *Include polyatomic ions like sulfate (SO₄²⁻), carbonate (CO₃²⁻), or phosphate (PO₄³⁻).
  *Turn it into a timed race between student groups.



====Safety Precautions====
  *None required for paper-based activity.




====Questions to Consider====
  *How do you determine the correct ratio of ions in a compound? (By balancing charges so the total positive and negative charges equal zero.)
  *Why do ionic compounds form crystal lattices instead of discrete molecules? (Because the electrostatic attraction extends in all directions.)
  *How do polyatomic ions change the naming and formula rules? (They act as a single charged unit, often requiring parentheses in formulas.)