Naming Ions

Front

What is an ion?

Back

An ion is an atom or molecule that has a net electrical charge due to the loss or gain of one or more electrons.

Front

What is a cation?

Back

A cation is a positively charged ion, formed when an atom loses one or more electrons.

Front

What is an anion?

Back

An anion is a negatively charged ion, formed when an atom gains one or more electrons.

Front

What is the octet rule?

Back

The octet rule states that atoms tend to bond in such a way that they have eight electrons in their valence shell, achieving a stable electron configuration.

Front

How do you name a simple anion?

Back

Simple anions are named by taking the root of the element's name and adding the suffix '-ide' (e.g., chloride for Cl-).

Front

What is a polyatomic ion?

Back

A polyatomic ion is a charged entity composed of two or more atoms bonded together, which can be either cations or anions.

Front

How do you name a polyatomic ion?

Back

Polyatomic ions are named based on their composition; for example, sulfate (SO4^2-) and nitrate (NO3^-).

Front

What is the formula for calculating the total charge of an ionic compound?

Back

The total charge of an ionic compound is neutral; the sum of the positive charges (from cations) must equal the sum of the negative charges (from anions).

Front

What is the significance of the subscripts in a chemical formula?

Back

Subscripts indicate the number of atoms of each element in a compound; for example, in Ca3(PO4)2, there are 3 calcium atoms and 2 phosphate ions.

Front

What is the charge of the nitrate ion?

Back

The charge of the nitrate ion (NO3^-) is -1.