Ionic Compound Nomenclature

Front

What is an ionic compound?

Back

An ionic compound is a chemical compound composed of ions held together by electrostatic forces termed ionic bonding. They typically form between metals and nonmetals.

Front

What is the general rule for naming ionic compounds?

Back

Ionic compounds are named by stating the name of the cation (positive ion) first, followed by the name of the anion (negative ion).

Front

What is the charge of aluminum in ionic compounds?

Back

Aluminum typically has a charge of +3 in ionic compounds.

Front

What is the charge of selenium in ionic compounds?

Back

Selenium typically has a charge of -2 in ionic compounds.

Front

How do you determine the formula of an ionic compound?

Back

To determine the formula, balance the total positive and negative charges of the ions to ensure the compound is neutral.

Front

What is the formula for barium chloride?

Back

The formula for barium chloride is BaCl₂.

Front

What is the formula for magnesium nitride?

Back

The formula for magnesium nitride is Mg₃N₂.

Front

What is the formula for magnesium iodide?

Back

The formula for magnesium iodide is MgI₂.

Front

What is the formula for magnesium chloride?

Back

The formula for magnesium chloride is MgCl₂.

Front

What is the significance of subscripts in chemical formulas?

Back

Subscripts indicate the number of atoms of each element in a compound. For example, in MgCl₂, there are 2 chlorine atoms for every magnesium atom.