High School Chemistry : Naming Compounds

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for High School Chemistry

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Example Questions

Example Question #21 : Naming Compounds

What is the correct name for ?

Possible Answers:

Perchloric acid

None of the answer choices are correct 

Chloric acid

Chlorous acid

Hydrochloric acid

Correct answer:

Perchloric acid

Explanation:

 consists of a  ion bonded to a ion, which is a perchlorate ion. Hence, the name of the ion's corresponding acid would be perchloric acid.

Example Question #22 : Naming Compounds

What is the name of the following compound: ?

Possible Answers:

calcium carbonate

calcium monocarbon trioxide

calcium trioxide

calcium carbonite

calcium carbon

Correct answer:

calcium carbonate

Explanation:

In this case, we have an ionic compound. Calcium  is bound ionically to the polyatomic ion, carbonate . Thus, the name of this compound is calcium carbonate.

Example Question #23 : Naming Compounds

What is the name for the following compound: ?

Possible Answers:

Iron(I) nitrate

Iron(II) nitrate

Iron(I) nitrite

Iron(II) nitrite

Iron nitrate

Correct answer:

Iron(II) nitrate

Explanation:

This is an ionic compound because there is a metal (iron) bound to a nonmetal (the polyatomic ion nitrate). Iron,  is a transition metal, which means it can take on multiple different charges. To find the charge of iron in this compound we must not that the compound as a whole is neutral. Also we must know the charge on the nitrate ion, , is negative one. To balance the two nitrate ions with one iron atom, the iron must carry a positive two charge. In naming ionic compounds with transition metals, we must use Roman numerals to indicate the charge on the metal. Thus the name of this compound is iron(II) nitrate.

Example Question #22 : Naming Compounds

Choose the correct chemical formula for lead (II) chloride.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

 is the correct answer because it takes two chloride ions to balance the positive two charge on the lead atom. lead (II) refers to the ion of lead with a  charge instead of Lead (IV) which refers to the ion with a  charge. Note that roman numerals are used with elements that can form more than one cation (generally transition metals).

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