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Introductory Chemistry (X11)

Naming chemicals. Page 2

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This page plays two roles. First, it is an answer key for Page 1. Second, it presents the second part of the question set.

This page again lists the chemicals; it then shows which "type" each one is. As a reminder, the types are listed in the green box below; these types guide us to the correct naming rule. There is also a brief explanation of how we tell which type it is. I suggest that you check yourself on these one at a time, from the top. Be sure you understand the reason for the type. If you had a problem with one of them, it could be good to go back and do the rest of the set with the new knowledge you gained from checking so far.

Once you have the type for each compound, you are now ready to name them. After you name the compounds, check your names on Page 3.

You may be able to check yourself as you go. Each item contains a "link" labeled "answer". Move the cursor over the word "answer"; a brief answer will appear, after a momentary delay, in a balloon nearby. These are only brief answers; for the full answers, with explanations, see Page 3, as discussed above.

There is a "text box" available, so that those who work on this online can write their answers on the screen. Just position your cursor in the text box, and type or delete characters as you wish. The text box is entirely for your convenience; there is no computer processing of anything you type.

Types of compounds (for deciding how to name them):

1. Ionic, with "predictable" cation. (Name: just name the cation and the anion.)
2. Ionic, with "unpredictable" cation. (Name: As above, but include the cation charge = oxidation number, as a roman numeral.) (Don't worry about the "old system" -- using -ous and -ic suffixes.)
3. Covalent (two non-metals). (Name: Use Greek prefixes to show how many of each atom.)

# formula        type explanation for type name -- You fill in this column.
(Online: you can type in the text-box.)
1 NaF 1 (ionic/
predictable cation) 		Na is in group 1. Group 1 metals always give 1+ ions. In general, group 1 and group 2 metals are quite predictable, at 1+ and 2+, respectively.
answer
2 CuF 2 (ionic/
unpredictable cation) 		Cu is a transition metal. It is one of the more common transition metals, so you should remember it. If you don't remember it, check your PT. And if there is any doubt about it, see #3.
answer
3 CuF2 2 (ionic/
unpredictable cation) 		If a copper compound was type 2 in #2, then it is still type 2. All that matters is the cation. But there is another big clue here, even if you didn't notice that Cu was unpredictable (transition metal) in #2. In #2 you had CuF, now you have CuF2. You have two different compounds of Cu and F; therefore you must conclude that Cu is unpredictable. (There are only rare cases where having two different compounds of a metal + non-metal is due to the non-metal behaving differently.)
answer
4 CuS 2 (ionic/
unpredictable cation) 		It's Cu again. All that matters is the metal ion.
answer
5 Cu(NO3)2 2 (ionic/
unpredictable cation) 		That the anion is complex (nitrate) does not matter. All that matters is the metal ion.
answer
6 ClO2 3 (covalent) Two non-metals.
answer
7 Cl2O 3 (covalent) Two non-metals.
answer
8 N2S5 3 (covalent) Two non-metals.
answer
9 CaSO4 1 (ionic/
predictable cation) 		Ca is in group 2. Group 2 metals always give 2+ ions. Recall #1.
answer
10 FeSO4 2 (ionic/
unpredictable cation) 		Fe is a transition metal. Recall discussion above (#2-5) for Cu compounds. Fe and Cu are probably the two most common transition metals, with "unpredictable" cations.
answer
11 Fe2(SO4)3 2 (ionic/
unpredictable cation) 		See #10. And again, if you somehow missed that Fe is unpredictable in #10, it should be clear now, just by seeing these two compounds.
answer
12 (NH4)2SO4 1 (ionic/
predictable cation) 		The ammonium ion, NH4+, is a specific (and very common) ion. Since it is a specific ion, it is obviously predictable. Hence this compound is type 1. (Don't be misled by the fact that the compound contains only nonmetals. It is clearly an ionic compound, containing two ions that should be familiar to you.)
answer

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The pages of "Naming chemicals":
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3
Introduction, and the questions Answers for "type of compound" Answers for "name of compound"
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Intro Chem (X11):    Home page    Quiz list

Chemistry practice problems. Includes link to the Naming Chemicals handout, under Self-help worksheets. Also includes Practice quizzes, Sample tests, Homework.

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Last update: June 5, 2019