Science: Naming Chemical Compounds
Practice naming ionic and covalent compounds
Science: Naming Chemical Compounds
Practice naming ionic and covalent compounds
Chemistry - Grade 9-12
- 1
Write the correct name for the ionic compound NaCl.
Name the metal first, then the nonmetal with the ending changed to -ide.
The correct name for NaCl is sodium chloride. Sodium forms a positive ion and chlorine forms the chloride ion. - 2
Write the correct chemical formula for calcium oxide.
The correct formula for calcium oxide is CaO. Calcium forms a 2+ ion and oxide forms a 2- ion, so they combine in a 1:1 ratio. - 3
Write the correct name for FeCl3.
Iron is a transition metal, so use a Roman numeral to show its charge.
The correct name for FeCl3 is iron(III) chloride. Each chloride ion has a 1- charge, so three chloride ions require an iron ion with a 3+ charge. - 4
Write the correct chemical formula for aluminum sulfide.
The correct formula for aluminum sulfide is Al2S3. Aluminum forms a 3+ ion and sulfide forms a 2- ion, so the charges balance with 2 aluminum ions and 3 sulfide ions. - 5
Write the correct name for CO2.
For covalent compounds, use prefixes to show the number of atoms.
The correct name for CO2 is carbon dioxide. The prefix di- shows that there are two oxygen atoms. - 6
Write the correct chemical formula for dinitrogen pentoxide.
The correct formula for dinitrogen pentoxide is N2O5. The prefix di- means 2 nitrogen atoms and penta- means 5 oxygen atoms. - 7
Write the correct name for Cu2O.
Find the charge on oxygen first, then determine the charge on copper.
The correct name for Cu2O is copper(I) oxide. Oxide has a 2- charge, so each of the two copper ions must have a 1+ charge. - 8
Write the correct chemical formula for magnesium nitrate.
The correct formula for magnesium nitrate is Mg(NO3)2. Magnesium forms a 2+ ion and nitrate is a 1- polyatomic ion, so two nitrate ions are needed. - 9
Write the correct name for N2O4.
Watch for the vowel drop in the second prefix.
The correct name for N2O4 is dinitrogen tetroxide. The prefix di- shows 2 nitrogen atoms, and tetra- becomes tetr- before oxide. - 10
Write the correct chemical formula for iron(III) hydroxide.
The correct formula for iron(III) hydroxide is Fe(OH)3. Iron(III) is Fe3+ and hydroxide is OH1-, so three hydroxide ions are needed to balance the charge. - 11
Write the correct name for NH4Cl.
This compound contains a common polyatomic cation.
The correct name for NH4Cl is ammonium chloride. NH4+ is the ammonium ion and Cl- is the chloride ion. - 12
Write the correct chemical formula for sulfur hexafluoride.
The correct formula for sulfur hexafluoride is SF6. The prefix hexa- shows that there are 6 fluorine atoms bonded to sulfur.