Question

Give the chemical names of each of the following familiar compounds: (a) \(\mathrm{NaCl}\) (table salt), (b) \(\mathrm{NaHCO}_{3}\) (baking soda), (c) \(\mathrm{NaOCl}\) (in many bleaches), (d) \(\mathrm{NaOH}\) (caustic soda), (e) \(\left(\mathrm{NH}_{4}\right)_{2} \mathrm{CO}_{3}\) (smelling salts), (f) \(\mathrm{CaSO}_{4}\) (plaster of Paris).

Short answer

The chemical names of the compounds are: (a) Sodium Chloride, (b) Sodium Bicarbonate, (c) Sodium Hypochlorite, (d) Sodium Hydroxide, (e) Ammonium Carbonate, and (f) Calcium Sulfate.

Step-by-step solution

(a) Identify and name the compound for NaCl

NaCl has two elements: Na (sodium) and Cl (chlorine). In a compound, the latter element's name ends with "-ide," so we have chloride. Therefore, the chemical name for NaCl is Sodium Chloride.

(b) Identify and name the compound for NaHCO₃

NaHCO₃ contains four elements: Na (sodium), H (hydrogen), C (carbon), and O (oxygen). Since Na is bonded with HCO₃, the latter follows a polyatomic ion naming convention. HCO₃ is bicarbonate, so the chemical name of NaHCO₃ is Sodium Bicarbonate.

(c) Identify and name the compound for NaOCl

NaOCl has three elements: Na (sodium), O (oxygen), and Cl (chlorine). The compound consists of a polyatomic ion made up of O and Cl, called hypochlorite. Thus, the chemical name for NaOCl is Sodium Hypochlorite.

(d) Identify and name the compound for NaOH

NaOH has three elements: Na (sodium), O (oxygen), and H (hydrogen). The OH group, called hydroxide, is a polyatomic ion. The chemical name for NaOH is Sodium Hydroxide.

(e) Identify and name the compound for (NH₄)₂CO₃

(NH₄)₂CO₃ has three combined elements: NH₄ (ammonium) occurs twice, and CO₃ (carbonate) occurs once. The chemical name should take account of the two ammonium compounds. The chemical name for (NH₄)₂CO₃ is Ammonium Carbonate.

(f) Identify and name the compound for CaSO₄

CaSO₄ has three elements: Ca (calcium), S (sulfur), and O (oxygen). The sulfate molecule (SO₄) is a polyatomic ion. The chemical name for CaSO₄ is Calcium Sulfate.

Key concepts

Ionic Compounds

Ionic compounds are formed when metals and non-metals chemically combine through ionic bonds. These bonds occur due to the transfer of electrons from one atom to another. Usually, the metal loses electrons to become a positively charged ion (cation), while the non-metal gains those electrons to form a negatively charged ion (anion). This opposite charge attraction results in the formation of a stable compound.
For example, Sodium Chloride (NaCl), commonly known as table salt, is a typical ionic compound. In this case, sodium (Na) donates an electron to chlorine (Cl), resulting in the creation of a compound composed of sodium cations \((\text{Na}^+)\) and chloride anions \(\text{Cl}^-\).
Some key features of ionic compounds include:

• They have high melting and boiling points due to the strength of the ionic bonds.
• They usually form crystalline structures.
• When dissolved in water, they conduct electricity due to the presence of free ions.

Polyatomic Ions

Polyatomic ions consist of two or more atoms covalently bonded, but they act as a single charged unit. These ions can be positively or negatively charged and often participate in the formation of ionic compounds.
A familiar example is the bicarbonate ion \(\text{HCO}_3^-\) found in sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃), used commonly as baking soda. Here, the bicarbonate polyatomic ion pairs with the sodium ion \(\text{Na}^+\) to create an ionic compound. Another example is the hydroxide ion \(\text{OH}^-\), present in sodium hydroxide (NaOH), or household lye.
Some common characteristics and examples of polyatomic ions include:

• They have a specific chemical formula and charge, which must be memorized for naming and formula writing.
• They often include oxygen, such as in sulfate \(\text{SO}_4^{2-}\) and nitrate \(\text{NO}_3^-\) ions.
• Ammonium \(\text{NH}_4^+\) is a rare example of a positively charged polyatomic ion.

Common Chemical Names

In chemistry, compounds are often known by both their systematic name and a common name. The systematic name follows IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) conventions for naming, whereas common names are more traditional and often used in everyday language.
For instance, the systematic name for NaHCO₃ is sodium hydrogencarbonate, but it is commonly known as baking soda. Similarly, NaOCl is known systematically as sodium hypochlorite, and it is found in many bleaches under its common name.
Here are some reasons why common names are important:

• They often provide hints about the compound's use, such as baking soda or caustic soda (sodium hydroxide).
• These names are usually simpler and easier to remember for daily communication.
• Common names have been historically used, often before systematic naming was established.

It is helpful to know both the systematic and common names for familiar compounds, as it enhances understanding and communication in both scientific and casual contexts.