Question

Name the following molecular compounds. (Chapter 8) a. \(S_{2} C I_{2}\) c. \(\mathrm{SO}_{3}\) b. \(\mathrm{CS}_{2}\) {d} . \(\mathrm{P}_{4} \mathrm{O}_{10}\)

Short answer

a. Disulfur dichloride b. Carbon disulfide c. Sulfur trioxide d. Tetraphosphorus decoxide

Step-by-step solution

Identify the non-metal elements

First, we need to identify the non-metal elements from their chemical formulas. Look up the element symbols from the periodic table: a. \(S_2 Cl_2\): Sulfur (S) and Chlorine (Cl) b. \(CS_2\): Carbon (C) and Sulfur (S) c. \(SO_3\): Sulfur (S) and Oxygen (O) d. \(P_4 O_{10}\): Phosphorus (P) and Oxygen (O)

Identify the prefixes for the number of atoms

Next, determine the prefixes for the number of atoms of each element present in the compound: 1 – mono, 2 – di, 3 – tri, 4 – tetra, 5 – penta, 6 – hexa, 7 – hepta, 8 – octa, 9 – nona, 10 – deca Using these prefixes, we can now assign the prefixes to the elements in each compound. a. \(S_2 Cl_2\): Di-Sulfur and Di-Chlorine b. \(CS_2\): Carbon and Di-Sulfur c. \(SO_3\): Sulfur and Tri-Oxygen d. \(P_4 O_{10}\): Tetra-Phosphorus and Deca-Oxygen

Combine the prefixes and element names

Now, we will combine the element prefixes and names to form the names for each compound: a. \(S_2 Cl_2\): Di-Sulfur Di-Chloride (Disulfur dichloride) b. \(CS_2\): Carbon Di-Sulfide (Carbon disulfide) c. \(SO_3\): Sulfur Tri-Oxide (Sulfur trioxide) d. \(P_4 O_{10}\): Tetra-Phosphorus Deca-Oxide (Tetraphosphorus decoxide) So, the names of the given molecular compounds are: a. Disulfur dichloride b. Carbon disulfide c. Sulfur trioxide d. Tetraphosphorus decoxide

Key concepts

Chemical Formulas

Chemical formulas are symbolic representations of molecules that display the elements present and the number of each type of atom. For non-metal compounds, chemical formulas are a guide to understanding how the atoms, which can form covalent bonds, are combined.
For example, in the chemical formula \(S_2 Cl_2\), the formula shows two sulfur (S) atoms and two chlorine (Cl) atoms bonded together. Each symbol stands for the element and the subscript number indicates how many atoms are present.
By examining a chemical formula, we can deduce the structure of the compound, the ratio of elements, and how these molecules interact at a chemical level.

Non-metal Elements

Non-metal elements are typically located on the right side of the periodic table. They possess distinct characteristics compared to metals, such as being poor conductors of heat and electricity, having higher electronegativities, and exhibiting distinct covalent bonding capabilities.
Common non-metal elements include oxygen (O), sulfur (S), phosphorus (P), and chlorine (Cl). These elements often combine to form molecular compounds, which are the focus when naming such compounds.
A compound like \(SO_3\) involves sulfur (S) and oxygen (O), both non-metals, highlighting their tendency to form molecular compounds with each other rather than ionic ones.

Greek Numerical Prefixes

Greek numerical prefixes are a system used in chemistry to denote the quantity of atoms of each element in a molecular compound. This helps in systematically naming compounds to describe their compositions accurately.
Some common prefixes include:

• Mono- (1)
• Di- (2)
• Tri- (3)
• Tetra- (4)
• Penta- (5)
• Hexa- (6)
• Hepta- (7)
• Octa- (8)
• Nona- (9)
• Deca- (10)

The prefixes are attached to the name of the element in the compound to denote the number of atoms present, such as "dioxide" indicating two oxygen atoms in sulfur trioxide \(SO_3\).
They provide a clear, standardized method to convey precise chemical compositions.

Periodic Table

The periodic table is a comprehensive chart showcasing all known chemical elements, arranged by increasing atomic number. It provides a wealth of information about element characteristics and relationships. Non-metal elements are primarily located on the upper right side of this table.
Examining the table is essential when identifying non-metals in molecular compounds since it lists not just the element names and symbols but also key data like atomic numbers and masses. Understanding periodic table placement helps predict chemical behavior and aids in accurately naming compounds.
For example, knowing sulfur (S) and oxygen (O) are non-metals helps in identifying them as candidates for molecular compound formation, as seen in compounds like sulfur trioxide \(SO_3\) and tetraphosphorus decoxide \(P_4 O_{10}\).