Question

Explain how to name an ionic and covalent compound from its formula, including metals with more than one charge and polyatomic ions.

A. Describe the process step by step for both ionic and covalent compounds, covering multiple metal charges and polyatomic ions.
B. Provide an overview of the naming conventions for ionic compounds only.
C. Explain the procedure for covalent compounds but exclude metals with multiple charges and polyatomic ions.
D. Provide a general explanation without specific details for either ionic or covalent compounds.

Answer 1

To name an ionic compound, write the name of the metal cation first, followed by the nonmetal anion with its ending changed to -ide. If the metal can form ions with different charges, include a Roman numeral in parentheses after the name of the metal. To name a covalent compound, write the name of the element that appears first in the formula first, followed by the name of the second element with its ending changed to -ide. Use prefixes to indicate the number of atoms for each element.

Step-by-step explanation:

Compounds that contain ions are called ionic compounds. Ionic compounds generally form from metals and nonmetals. Compounds that do not contain ions, but instead consist of atoms bonded tightly together in molecules (uncharged groups of atoms that behave as a single unit), are called covalent compounds. Covalent compounds usually form from two nonmetals.

To name an ionic compound, you can follow these steps:

1. Write the name of the metal cation first, followed by the name of the nonmetal anion with its ending changed to -ide.
2. If the metal can form ions with different charges, include a Roman numeral in parentheses after the name of the metal to specify its charge.
3. If the compound contains polyatomic ions, use the appropriate name for the ion.

To name a covalent compound, you can follow these steps:

1. Write the name of the element that appears first in the formula first, followed by the name of the second element with its ending changed to -ide.
2. Use prefixes to indicate the number of atoms for each element, as shown in the example of SF6, which is sulfur hexafluoride.