Questions and Answers
Why is the name sulfur aluminide incorrect for the compound Al2S3?
The name sulfur aluminide is incorrect for the compound Al2S3 because when naming an ionic compound, the cation is named first followed by the anion which changes its name ending to -ide. Therefore, it should be named Aluminum sulfide.
What are the possible oxidation numbers for carbon? Explain your answer.
The possible oxidation numbers for carbon range from -4 to +4 because carbon is in group 4, has 6 total electrons, and 4 of them are in its outer shell.
What is the difference between an ionic compound and a molecular compound?
Ionic compounds are formed by the transfer of electrons and have a charge, whereas molecular compounds are formed by the sharing of electrons and are neutral.
Study Notes
Naming Compounds
- Al2S3 is correctly named Aluminum sulfide, not sulfur aluminide, as cation names precede anion names in ionic compounds.
- The anion’s name changes to an -ide suffix; hence, the sulfur in Al2S3 adopts the name sulfide.
Oxidation Numbers of Carbon
- Carbon’s oxidation numbers can vary between -4 and +4.
- Located in group 4 of the periodic table, carbon has 6 total electrons, with 4 in its outermost shell.
- The outer shell electron configuration determines the range of possible oxidation states.
Ionic vs. Molecular Compounds
- Ionic compounds result from the transfer of electrons, giving them a net charge.
- Molecular compounds are formed by the sharing of electrons between atoms, resulting in a neutral compound.
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Description
This quiz covers the correct naming conventions for ionic compounds, emphasizes the importance of oxidation numbers for carbon, and distinguishes between ionic and molecular compounds. Test your knowledge on these fundamental chemistry topics and solidify your understanding of compound nomenclature.
