Names & Formulae of Ionic Compounds Flashcards

All 4 cards in this deck

What does the ending –ate in the name of a compound tell you?

The compound contains that element combined with oxygen.
e.g. sodium sulfate contains sodium, sulfur and oxygen.

True or false? The compound made of $\mathrm{NH_4^+}$ ions and $\mathrm{NO_3^-}$ ions is called ammonia nitrate.

False. It is called ammonium nitrate (formula $\mathrm{NH_4NO_3}$).

What are the steps to deduce the formula of an ionic compound from its ions?
e.g. sodium sulfate, from $\mathrm{Na^+}$ and $\mathrm{SO_4^{2-}}$

1. Write the charge on each ion: $+$ and $2-$.
2. Choose the fewest ions that make the total charge zero: two $\mathrm{Na^+}$ to one $\mathrm{SO_4^{2-}}$.
3. Write the symbols with subscript numbers and no charges: $\mathrm{Na_2SO_4}$.

What does the ending –ide in the name of a compound tell you about its negative ion?

The negative ion is made of just one element, e.g. chloride is $\mathrm{Cl^-}$ and oxide is $\mathrm{O^{2-}}$.
Hydroxide, $\mathrm{OH^-}$, is the exception: it contains oxygen and hydrogen.