Question

The charge of B is +3 and the charge of O is -2. What is its formula?

A) B3O2

B) B2O3

C) O2B3

Answer 1

Option B: B2O3

In order to make a compound, it has to be neutral. We have to combine the +3 charged and the -2 charges until they cancel out.

The only possible compound is B2O3, since the positive charges add up to +6 and the negative charges add up to -6.

-T.B.

Answer 2

The formula is B2O3. The charges need to equal each other to obtain a neutral compound of no charge hence 2 B has a charge of +6 and 3 O has a charge of -6 to cancel out each other, resulting in a stable uncharged compound.