Nomenclature

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Nomenclature Noun

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[noh-men-kluh-cher]

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Nomenclature

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The systematic process of naming chemical compounds according to a set of internationally recognized rules established by IUPAC.

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Example: This image shows the chemical structure of ethanol, an example of a molecule named using chemical nomenclature, but does not explain the naming system itself.

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Ionic Bonding Noun

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[ahy-on-ik bon-ding]

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Ionic Bonding

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A chemical bond formed by the electrostatic attraction between a positively charged metal cation and a negatively charged non-metal anion.

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Example: This diagram shows how positive (+) and negative (-) ions attract each other to form a strong, repeating crystal lattice, which is the result of ionic bonding.

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Covalent Bonding Noun

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[koh-vey-luhnt bon-ding]

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Covalent Bonding

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A chemical bond formed by the sharing of electron pairs between two non-metal atoms to achieve stability.

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Example: This diagram shows two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom sharing their outer electrons to form a water molecule, which is a covalent bond.

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Cation Noun

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[kat-ahy-on]

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Cation

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A positively charged ion that is formed when a neutral atom, typically a metal, loses one or more electrons.

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Example: A neutral sodium atom (left) loses one electron from its outer shell, resulting in a sodium ion (cation) with a positive charge.

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Anion Noun

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[an-ahy-on]

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Anion

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A negatively charged ion that is formed when a neutral atom, typically a nonmetal, gains one or more electrons.

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Example: A neutral chlorine atom gains an electron to become a negatively charged chloride ion (anion), completing its outer electron shell.

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Oxidation Number Noun

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[ok-si-dey-shuhn nuhm-ber]

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Oxidation Number

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A number assigned to an element in a compound representing its degree of oxidation or the charge it would have.

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Example: In a water molecule (H₂O), each hydrogen atom has an oxidation number of +1, and the oxygen atom has an oxidation number of -2.

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Polyatomic Ion Noun

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[pol-ee-uh-tom-ik ahy-on]

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Polyatomic Ion

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A charged chemical species composed of two or more atoms covalently bonded together that functions as a single unit.

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Example: This diagram shows a sulfate ion, an example of a polyatomic ion, where one sulfur and four oxygen atoms are bonded together with an overall charge.

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Acid Noun

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[as-id]

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Acid

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A chemical substance that produces hydrogen ions (H+) when dissolved in an aqueous solution, typically having a sour taste.

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Example: This diagram shows a property of an acid: an acidic solution turns blue litmus paper red, which is a common test to identify acids.

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Hydrocarbon Noun

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[hahy-droh-kahr-buhn]

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Hydrocarbon

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An organic compound consisting entirely of hydrogen and carbon atoms, forming the basis of many organic molecules.

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Example: This image shows a model of methane (CH₄), the simplest hydrocarbon, which is a molecule made of one carbon atom (gray) and four hydrogen atoms (blue).

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Alkane Noun

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[al-keyn]

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Alkane

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A saturated hydrocarbon containing only single carbon-carbon bonds, following the general formula CnH2n+2.

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Example: This diagram shows ethane (C2H6), a simple alkane, where carbon atoms are linked by single bonds and are saturated with hydrogen atoms.