Chemistry: Naming Compounds and Elements

Naming Compounds and Writing Formulas

• Compounds are made of two or more elements.
• Systematic naming (IUPAC) is necessary due to the vast number of compounds.
• Compound names should indicate the number and type of atoms present in the compound.

Periodic Table

• The periodic table organizes elements by similar properties.
• Elements are arranged in columns called groups.
• Group A elements are representative elements.

Metals

• Metals are typically shiny (luster).
• Metals are ductile (can be drawn into wires).
• Metals are malleable (can be hammered into sheets).
• Metals are conductors of heat and electricity.

Transition Metals

• Transition metals are Group B elements.
• Transition metals can have various charges.

Non-metals

• Non-metals are typically dull.
• Non-metals are brittle.
• Non-metals are nonconductors/insulators.

Metalloids/Semimetals

• Metalloids exhibit properties of both metals and non-metals.
• Metalloids are semiconductors.

Atoms and Ions

• Atoms are electrically neutral (equal number of protons and electrons).
• Ions are atoms (or groups of atoms) with a charge.
• Ions form when the number of protons and electrons are not equal due to the gain or loss of electrons.

Anions

• Anions are negatively charged ions.
• Anions are formed when atoms gain electrons.
• Name of anion ends in -ide (e.g., Fluoride).

Cations

• Cations are positively charged ions.
• Cations are formed when atoms lose electrons.
• Name of cation is the same as the name of the element (e.g., Sodium).

Compounds

• Compounds follow the Law of Definite Proportion, meaning their composition is consistent.
• Compounds must have the same number of atoms each time they are created.
• There are two main types of compounds: Molecular Compounds and Ionic Compounds.

Molecular Compounds

• Molecular compounds are made of molecules. These are made from combining non-metals.
• The smallest piece of a molecular compound is a molecule.

Ionic Compounds

• Ionic compounds are made of cations and anions.
• Ionic compounds consist of metals and non-metals.
• Electrons lost by the cation are gained by the anion.
• The smallest piece of an ionic compound is a formula unit.

Chemical Formulas

• Chemical formulas show the number and type of atoms in a substance.
• Molecular formulas show the atoms in a molecule.

Formula Unit

• The formula unit represents the smallest whole-number ratio of atoms in an ionic compound.

Charges on Ions

• The periodic table helps predict the charge of Group A elements.
• Elements in the same group have similar properties, including ion charges.

Naming Ions

• Group A elements, the charge is predictable.
• Transition metals require their charge to be explicitly indicated using Roman numerals in parentheses (e.g., copper(II)).

Naming Anions

• The name of an anion usually changes to end with -ide.

Writing Formulas for Compounds

• Charges of different ions/polyatomic must balance out to zero.
• Write the symbol and subscripts to balance the charges.

Naming Binary Ionic Compounds

• Binary ionic compounds contain two elements. - Name the cation, and then the anion in a singular sentence.
• The ionic compound must be neutral (have an overall charge of 0).
• Use the anion to determine the charge of the cation

Naming Ternary Ionic Compounds

• Ternary ionic compounds consist of three or more elements.
• Ternary Ionic compounds contain polyatomic ions.
• Name the cation and then the anion.

Naming Acids

• Acids are compounds that produce hydrogen ions when dissolved in water.
• Acids must contain hydrogen (H).
• If the anion in the acid ends in -ide, the acid name will begin with hydro- and end in -ic acid.
• If the anion ends in -ate, change it to -ic acid.
• If the anion ends in -ite, change it to -ous acid.

Writing Formulas for Acids

• The name of the acid tells you the type of anion.
• Charges of the different ions must balance out to zero.

This quiz covers the systematic naming of compounds and the properties of metals, non-metals, and metalloids. It explores the organization of the periodic table and the classification of elements into groups. Test your knowledge on the characteristics and behaviors of different types of elements.