Diatomic elements — "Have No Fear Of Ice Cold Beer"
H₂ (Have), N₂ (No), F₂ (Fear), O₂ (Of), I₂ (Ice), Cl₂ (Cold), Br₂ (Beer)
State symbols — "Some Lions Go Aquaplaning"
(s) Solid, (l) Liquid, (g) Gas, (aq) Aqueous
Common negative ions (polyatomic)
NO₃⁻ — "NitrAte has 3 oxygens and takes 1 electron"
SO₄²⁻ — "SulphAte has 4 oxygens and takes 2 electrons"
CO₃²⁻ — "CarbonAte has 3 oxygens and takes 2 electrons"
Swap-and-drop rule (ionic formulae)
Ca²⁺ + Cl⁻: swap the 2 and the 1 → Ca₁Cl₂ → CaCl₂. Simplify if both numbers match: Mg²⁺ + O²⁻ → Mg₁O₁ → MgO.
This memory aid covers Memory Aids within Formulae, Equations and Conservation of Mass for GCSE Chemistry. Revise Formulae, Equations and Conservation of Mass in Quantitative Chemistry for GCSE Chemistry with 13 exam-style questions and 12 flashcards. This topic shows up very often in GCSE exams, so students should be able to explain it clearly, not just recognise the term. It is section 11 of 14 in this topic. Use it for quick recall, then test yourself straight afterwards so the memory aid becomes usable in an answer.
Practice questions for Formulae, Equations and Conservation of Mass
Which of the following is the correct formula for oxygen gas?
Explain why mass is conserved in a chemical reaction.