Q&A for How to Name Chemical Compounds

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What is the difference between ionic compounds and covalent compounds?

Community Answer

Ionic compounds occur between metals and non-metals. They exchange charges and end up with opposite ones. Covalent compounds occur between non-metals. They end up sharing the charges.

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Question

How do you name things like sulfuric acid and the other acids? How can you tell their formula based on the name?

Community Answer

There are two types of acids: those that contain oxygen, and those that do not. If they do not contain oxygen, take the name of the anion, add the prefix hydro, and end with -ic (then add "acid"). Example: HF, hydroflouric acid. To name acids with oxygen, find the name of the polyatomic ion, then change "-ate" to "-ic" or "-ite" to "-ous."

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How do I identify elements of a compound that ends with -ate? For example, how do I know that carbonate is comprised of 1 Carbon and 3 oxygen atoms?

Community Answer

You have to memorize the common polyatomic compounds, like chromate ion and others.

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What is a prefix and suffix?

Community Answer

A prefix is a beginning part of a word or term, a suffix is an end part. A prefix or a suffix generally has a specific meaning that it denotes - like the prefixes in Method 3 Step 2, which indicate the number of atoms.

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Question

When do I use stock system for naming chemical compounds?

Community Answer

The stock system is used for naming chemical compounds when the metal in the ionic compound is multivalent (meaning that it could have more than 1 possible charge in a bond), and thus it must be specified. However, you don't need to specify the charge of the metal in the compounds if it is in group 1 or 2 or if it's a monovalent transition metal (Al 3+, Zn 2+, Ag 1+, Cd 2+).

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How do I find the names and formulas of compounds using a periodic table?

Community Answer

You can't find the names or formulas. You must memorize them instead.

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Why is the mono not said in CO, like monocarbon monoxide?

Community Answer

It's implied.

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