Home

Science

Atoms, elements and compounds

Naming chemical compounds

Naming chemical compounds

Videos

Summary

Exercises

Select Lesson

Magnetism

Types of magnets and magnetic fields

Electromagnets and solenoids

Space physics

Gravitational forces

Galaxies, stars and light years

Day, night and the four seasons

Matter

Physical changes of matter

Movement of particles: Brownian motion and diffusion

Electricity

Electrical circuits

Measuring current and potential difference

Resistance and Ohm's Law

Series and parallel circuits

Static electricity

Waves

Water waves and superposition

Sound waves

Hearing: the human ear and auditory ranges

The uses of sound waves

How light travels

Light transmission and ray diagrams

Detecting light: cameras and the human eye

Light frequencies, prisms and colour

Forces and motion

Motion and speed

Relative motion

Contact and non-contact forces

How friction affects movement

Force diagrams and resultant forces

Air and water resistance

Moments

Forces and elasticity: Hooke's Law

Pressure

Energy

Energy stores and transfers

Mechanical energy and work done

Energy transfer by heating

Energy calculations

Renewable and non-renewable energy

Energy in the home

Earth and atmosphere

The Earth: structure and properties

The rock cycle and weathering

Types of rock: Sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous

The carbon cycle

The atmosphere and carbon dioxide

Recycling and limited resources

Acids and alkalis

The pH scale and indicators

Neutralisation reactions

Reactions of acids with metals

Reactions of acids with oxides

Chemical reactions

An introduction to chemical reactions

Word and symbol equations

Combustion, oxidation and thermal decomposition

Displacement reactions

Exothermic and endothermic reactions and catalysts

Pure and impure substances

Pure substances and mixtures

Dissolving a mixture

Separating mixtures

Fractional distillation

The periodic table and properties of materials

The modern periodic table

Mendeleev's periodic table

Physical and chemical properties

Predicting reactivity using the periodic table

The properties of metals

The properties of non-metals

Ceramics, polymers and composites

The reactivity series and metal extraction

Atoms, elements and compounds

Dalton's atomic model

Atoms, elements and compounds

Naming chemical compounds

States of matter

Properties of the three states of matter

The particle model of matter

Gas pressure

Changes of state and conservation of mass

Heating and cooling curves

Genetics and evolution

DNA structure, discovery and inheritance

Types and sources of variation

The process of natural selection

Extinction and species preservation

Interactions and interdependencies

Ecosystems and interdependence

Food chains and poison

Food webs and interdependence

Plants

Photosynthesis and plant adaptations

Flower structure and pollination

Fertilisation, seed formation and dispersal

Investigating seed dispersal

Human reproduction

Human reproductive systems

The menstrual cycle

Human reproduction and gestation

Pregnancy and health

Human gas exchange systems

Structure and function of the human gas exchange system

The mechanism of breathing

Impact of exercise, asthma and smoking on gas exchange

Human nutrition, digestion and health

A healthy human diet

Energy requirements and diet imbalances

The structure of the human digestive system

Digestion and the importance of bacteria

The impact of recreational drugs on health

Human skeleton and muscles

The human skeletal system

Muscle function and antagonistic muscle pairs

Measuring the force exerted by muscles

Cells and respiration

How to observe cells under a microscope

Animal cells, plant cells, and unicellular organisms

Cell organisation and diffusion

Aerobic and anaerobic respiration

Explainer Video

Tutor: Lana

Summary

Naming chemical compounds

In a nutshell

Compounds are formed when atoms of different elements undergo a chemical reaction and form chemical bonds. There are five main rules when naming a compound. This lesson will go over these rules, with examples.



Rule 1

If a compound is made up of only two elements, then the compounds name will end in -ide. 


​​Example

Lithium chloride (LiClLiClLiCl​) is composed of only lithium and chlorine atoms.   



Rule 2

The first part of the compounds name must be the element that is furthest to the left in the periodic table. 


​​Example

Potassium iodide (KIKIKI) has potassium at the start of the name since potassium is in Group 111​.



Rule 3

Compounds will end with the suffixes -ite or -ate if there are three or more elements present, and one of those elements is oxygen. 


Examples

Potassium iodate (KIO3KIO_3KIO3​​) is made up of potassium, iodine and oxygen atoms.

The -ite suffix can be found in compounds like sodium sulfite (Na2SO3Na_2SO_3Na2​SO3​) and lithium nitrite (LiNO2LiNO_2LiNO2​).



Rule 4 

In some instances, the name of the compound can contain prefixes which show how many atoms of a given element are present. ​


Prefixes

A prefix is a group of letters added to the start of an element. Prefixes are used to specify how many atoms of a given element are present in a molecule of a compound.


​The table below shows some of the most common prefixes.


Prefix

Number of atoms

Mono-

​111​​

Di-

​222​​

Tri-

​333​​

Tetra-

​444​​

Penta-

​555​​


​Examples

A carbon monoxide molecule (COCOCO​) is composed of one carbon atom and one oxygen atom, therefore it contains the prefix mono-. 


Carbon dioxide (​CO2CO_2CO2​​) is made up of one carbon atom bonded to two oxygen atoms, therefore it contains the prefix di-.


Carbon tetrachloride (​CCl4CCl_4CCl4​​) has four chloride atoms in each molecule.



Rule 5

Acids composed of hydrogen and one other element will have a “hydro-“ prefix and an “-ic’ suffix. 


Example

Hydrochloric acid has the suffix -ic.​


Acids containing oxygen atoms can end with the suffix “-ous” or “-ic”. 


Examples

Phosphoric acid and nitrous acid.

Read more

Learn with Basics

Learn the basics with theory units and practise what you learned with exercise sets!
Length:
Reversible changes and separation methods

Unit 1

Reversible changes and separation methods

An introduction to chemical reactions

Unit 2

An introduction to chemical reactions

Jump Ahead

Score 80% to jump directly to the final unit.

Optional

This is the current lesson and goal (target) of the path

Naming chemical compounds

Unit 3

Naming chemical compounds

Final Test

Test reviewing all units to claim a reward planet.

Create an account to complete the exercises

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

How do you name a compound made of two elements?

When name a compound is made of two elements, the first part of the name must be the element that is furthest to the left in the periodic table. If the compound is made up of only two elements, then the compound name will end in -ide.

Why do certain compounds end in -ate or -ite?

Compounds will end with the suffixes -ite or -ate if there are three ore more elements present, and one of those elements is oxygen. For example, potassium iodate (KIO3).

Why are prefixes used when naming compounds?

The name of the compound can contain prefixes which show how many atoms of a given element are present. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is made up of one carbon atom bonded to two oxygen atoms therefore it contains the prefix di-.

©2020 - 2024 evulpo AG

Beta