Learn to name simple ionic compounds formed between a metal with a fixed, predictable charge (like those in Groups 1 and 2) and a nonmetal. This is the foundation of ionic naming.
What is the general rule for naming a binary ionic compound with a fixed-charge metal (Type I)?
Name the metal cation first, followed by the nonmetal anion. The anion's name is formed by taking the root of the element's name and adding the suffix '-ide'.
Which groups of metals on the periodic table typically form cations with a fixed, predictable charge?
Group \(1\) metals (alkali metals) always form \(+1\) ions, and Group \(2\) metals (alkaline earth metals) always form \(+2\) ions.
Besides Groups \(1\) and \(2\), name three other common metals that have a fixed charge and what that charge is.
Aluminum (\(Al^{3+}\)), Zinc (\(Zn^{2+}\)), and Silver (\(Ag^{+}\)).
What is the name of the anion formed from an oxygen atom (\(O\))?
Oxide (\(O^{2-}\))
What is the name of the anion formed from a nitrogen atom (\(N\))?
Nitride (\(N^{3-}\))
What is the name of the anion formed from a fluorine atom (\(F\))?
Fluoride (\(F^{-}\))
Name the compound with the formula \(NaCl\).
Sodium chloride. Sodium (\(Na^{+}\)) is a Group \(1\) metal and chlorine becomes the anion chloride (\(Cl^{-}\)).
Name the compound with the formula \(MgS\).
Magnesium sulfide. Magnesium (\(Mg^{2+}\)) is a Group \(2\) metal and sulfur becomes the anion sulfide (\(S^{2-}\)).
Name the compound with the formula \(Al_2O_3\).
Aluminum oxide. Aluminum (\(Al^{3+}\)) has a fixed charge, and oxygen forms the oxide anion (\(O^{2-}\)).
What is the chemical formula for potassium iodide?
$$ KI $$ (Potassium is \(K^{+}\), Iodide is \(I^{-}\). The charges balance in a \(1:1\) ratio.)
What is the chemical formula for calcium bromide?
$$ CaBr_2 $$ (Calcium is \(Ca^{2+}\), Bromide is \(Br^{-}\). Two bromide ions are needed to balance one calcium ion.)
What is the chemical formula for barium nitride?
$$ Ba_3N_2 $$ (Barium is \(Ba^{2+}\), Nitride is \(N^{3-}\). The charges balance with \(3\) barium ions and \(2\) nitride ions.)
What is the chemical formula for zinc chloride?
$$ ZnCl_2 $$ (Zinc is one of the transition metals with a fixed charge of \(Zn^{2+}\). Chloride is \(Cl^{-}\).)
What defines a binary compound?
A compound that is composed of exactly two different elements. For example, \(H_2O\) is a binary compound, but \(H_2SO_4\) is not.
