Naming and Writing Chemical Formulas

Front

Name the following ionic compound: BeCl₂

Back

beryllium chloride

Answer explanation

This is an Ionic Formula . You name the metal first and then the metal with an -ide ending. Roman Numerals are not needed because the metal is not a transition metal. Prefixes are not used because this is not covalent.

Front

What is the correct formula for the compound, lithium oxide? Options: LiO, Li₂O, LiO₂, Li₂O₂

Back

Li₂O

Answer explanation

This is Ionic. Find the charge of the metal, find the charge of the non-metal and crisscross the charges to find the subscripts.

Front

What is the formula for manganese(III) oxide?

Back

Mn₂O₃

Answer explanation

Ionic. The metal is a transition metal. The roman numeral tells you the CHARGE of the metal. Determine the charge of the nonmetal and cross the charges to write the formula.

Front

The formula of calcium phosphate is

Back

Ca₃(PO₄)₂

Answer explanation

Ionic with a Polyatomic. Determine the Charge of the Metal. Use the Polyatomic Reference Sheet to find Phosphate formula and charge. Cross the charges and write the formula. Use Parenthesis ( ) to enclose the polyatomic group. The subscript that you cross down goes on the outside of the parenthesis.

Front

What is the name of Al(NO₃)₃?

Back

Aluminum Nitrate

Answer explanation

Ionic. Name the metal and then name the polyatomic ion. You do not change the ending of the polyatomic group, it is named just the way it appears on the list.

Front

Name the following ionic compound: Cr(NO₂)₃

Back

chromium III nitrite

Answer explanation

Ionic with a transition metal. You need to determine the charge of the metal because that will be the roman numeral you use between the name of the metal and polyatomic. Cross the subscripts back up to determine the charge. Write the metal first followed by the roman numeral and then the polyatomic.

Front

What is the name of CO?

Back

Carbon monoxide

Answer explanation

Covalent. Use prefixes to write the name. look at the subscript, determine the prefix, write the prefix followed by the element name, then do the same with the second element but end it with the -ide ending.

If the first element only has one, you do not use MONO. If the second element only has one you DO use MONO.

Front

The correct name of Cu₃N₂ is

Back

copper (II) nitride

Answer explanation

Ionic with a Transition Metal. You need to determine the charge of the transition metal by reversing the criss cross. The subscripts become the charges of the opposite element. Name the metal, write the charge as a roman numeral, name the nonmetal, followed by the -ide ending.

Front

Roman numerals tell you the ____ of the metal cation(s) in an ionic compound.

Back

charge

Front

True or false: When naming ionic compounds, use prefixes to indicate subscripts

Back

False