Naming Ionic Compounds Trivia: Are You A Chemistry Expert?

LiNO3 is the chemical formula for lithium nitrate. It is composed of one lithium ion (Li+) and one nitrate ion (NO3-). The name "lithium nitrate" accurately reflects the composition of the compound, as it contains lithium and nitrate ions. The other options, such as "lithium nitrogen trioxide" and "lithium nitrite," do not accurately represent the composition of LiNO3. Therefore, the correct answer is lithium nitrate.

Sodium carbonate is the correct answer because it is the common name for Na2CO3. It is a white, crystalline solid that is commonly used in various industries such as glass manufacturing and water treatment. The other options, disodium carbonate, disodium carbon trioxide, sodium carbon trioxide, and sodium carbonite, are not the correct names for Na2CO3.

The correct answer is ammonium nitride because (NH4)3N is formed by combining the ammonium ion (NH4+) and the nitride ion (N3-). The ammonium ion consists of one nitrogen atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms, while the nitride ion consists of one nitrogen atom with a charge of -3. Therefore, when these two ions combine, they form (NH4)3N, which can be referred to as ammonium nitride.

Potassium phosphide is the correct answer because the chemical formula for potassium phosphide is K3P. This compound is formed by the combination of potassium (K) and phosphorous (P). The other options either have incorrect chemical formulas or do not represent the correct combination of elements.

The correct formula for gallium hydroxide is Ga(OH)3. This is because gallium is a metal with a +3 charge, and hydroxide is a polyatomic ion with a -1 charge. To balance the charges, three hydroxide ions are needed for every gallium ion, resulting in the formula Ga(OH)3. The other options, Gl3O, Ga3O2, Gl(OH)2, and Ga(HO)2, do not correctly represent the combination of gallium and hydroxide ions.

The correct formula for strontium chloride is SrCl2. This formula indicates that there is one strontium ion (Sr) and two chloride ions (Cl) in the compound. The subscript "2" after Cl indicates that there are two chloride ions present.

The correct formula for aluminum sulfide is Al2S3. This is because aluminum has a +3 charge and sulfur has a -2 charge. In order to balance the charges, two aluminum atoms are needed to combine with three sulfur atoms, resulting in the formula Al2S3.

BaO is the chemical formula for Barium Oxide. Barium Oxide is a white crystalline solid that is commonly used in the production of ceramics, glass, and other materials. It is also used in the manufacture of certain types of barium compounds, as well as in the production of certain types of catalysts. Barium Oxide is highly reactive and can react with water to form Barium Hydroxide, which is a strong base. It is important to handle Barium Oxide with caution due to its reactivity and potential health hazards.

Mercury(I) oxalate, with the formula Hg2C2O4, comprises two mercury(I) ions (Hg+) and one oxalate ion (C2O42-). Forming a white solid, this compound arises from the interaction of mercury(I) cations with oxalate anions. The resulting molecular structure showcases the combination of these elements in a distinctive chemical arrangement.

Magnesium hydrogen phosphate, with the chemical formula MgHPO4, is a salt that contains magnesium, hydrogen, phosphorus, and oxygen. It is commonly known as Magnesium hydrogen phosphate. This compound is often encountered in the context of chemistry and biochemistry.

The correct answer, Iron(III) chloride, corresponds to FeCl3 because iron can have multiple oxidation states. Here, the Roman numeral III indicates iron's +3 oxidation state. Chlorine, being a halogen, has a -1 charge. To balance the charges, three chloride ions are needed for each iron ion, resulting in the formula FeCl3. The name distinguishes it from Iron(II) chloride (FeCl2), where iron has a +2 oxidation state. The systematic nomenclature ensures clarity, as the "III" specifies the exact oxidation state, crucial for distinguishing compounds of the same elements but different charge configurations.

Calcium nitrate's formula, Ca(NO3)2, reflects the combination of a calcium ion (Ca2+) with nitrate ions (NO3−). Calcium has a +2 charge, while nitrate has a -1 charge. To neutralize the charge, two nitrate ions are required for each calcium ion, resulting in Ca(NO3)2. This stoichiometric ratio ensures electrical neutrality. Nitrate is a polyatomic ion, and the parentheses indicate that two nitrate groups are bonded to one calcium atom, highlighting the compound's ionic structure. The name adheres to IUPAC rules, distinguishing it from other calcium salts like calcium nitrite (Ca(NO2)2).

Copper(II) sulfate (CuSO4) is named based on copper's +2 oxidation state, as indicated by the Roman numeral II. Sulfate (SO4) is a polyatomic ion with a -2 charge. The charges of copper and sulfate balance directly, requiring no subscript adjustments in the formula. The Roman numeral clarifies this copper salt from others like Copper(I) sulfate (Cu2SO4), where copper has a +1 charge. This distinction is vital in chemical applications, as the properties and reactivity of copper compounds depend on their oxidation states. The nomenclature ensures accurate identification of the compound's composition.

Zinc phosphate, Zn3(PO4)2, is formed from zinc ions (Zn2+) and phosphate ions (PO4−3). Each zinc ion carries a +2 charge, and each phosphate ion has a -3 charge. To balance the charges, three zinc ions and two phosphate ions combine, resulting in a neutral compound. The formula indicates that the subscripts reflect the ratio needed for charge neutrality. Zinc phosphate's name clearly identifies the metal and the polyatomic ion, ensuring it is not confused with compounds like zinc sulfate or zinc oxide. Its precise stoichiometry is critical in industrial and chemical applications.

Aluminum bromide, AlBr3, arises from the reaction of aluminum (Al) and bromine (Br). Aluminum, a metal, forms a +3 cation (Al3+), while bromine, a halogen, forms a -1 anion (Br−). To achieve electrical neutrality, three bromide ions combine with one aluminum ion, resulting in AlBr3. The compound's name reflects its ionic nature, with no need for Roman numerals since aluminum has only one common oxidation state (+3). This precise nomenclature distinguishes it from other bromine compounds like hydrogen bromide (HBr) or sodium bromide (NaBr), ensuring clarity in chemical contexts.