Final answer:
The correct name for Na₃P is sodium phosphide. It is made of sodium ions and phosphide ions, with the ending of the anion changing to -ide.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct name for the compound Na₃P is sodium phosphide. This compound consists of sodium ions (Na+) and phosphide ions (P3-). Sodium ion, being a cation (positively charged), is named first and keeps its elemental name, while the anion (negatively charged) phosphide comes from phosphorus. However, since it is an anion, its ending is changed to -ide, resulting in the name phosphide. Option (a) is correct.
Here's a quick demonstration of how to name some other ionic compounds:
- Iron (II) nitrite would have the formula Fe(NO2)2.
- Calcium hydrogen phosphate would be CaHPO4.
- Chromium (III) oxide would be Cr2O3.
- Potassium chloride is named using the name of the potassium ion (K+) and the chloride ion (Cl-).