Question

Give the correct name for each compound. (a) \(\mathrm{SO}_{2}\) (b) \(\mathrm{CCl}_{4}\) (c) \(\mathrm{P}_{4} \mathrm{~S}_{10}\) (d) \(\mathrm{SF}_{4}\)

Short answer

(a) Sulfur Dioxide, (b) Carbon Tetrachloride, (c) Tetraphosphorus Decasulfide, (d) Sulfur Tetrafluoride.

Step-by-step solution

Analyze Compound (a)

The compound is \( \mathrm{SO}_{2} \). This is a binary molecular compound consisting of sulfur and oxygen. Use prefixes to name the number of atoms: **S**ulfur **Di**oxide.

Analyze Compound (b)

The compound is \( \mathrm{CCl}_{4} \). This is a binary molecular compound consisting of carbon and chlorine. Use prefixes: **Carbon Tetrachloride**.

Analyze Compound (c)

The compound is \( \mathrm{P}_{4} \mathrm{~S}_{10} \). This is a binary molecular compound consisting of phosphorus and sulfur. Use prefixes to indicate the number of atoms: **Tetraphosphorus Decasulfide**.

Analyze Compound (d)

The compound is \( \mathrm{SF}_{4} \). This is a binary molecular compound consisting of sulfur and fluorine. Use prefixes: **Sulfur Tetrafluoride**.

Key concepts

Understanding Binary Molecular Compounds

Binary molecular compounds are chemical compounds that consist of two different non-metallic elements. They are called "binary" because they are made up of two elements, and "molecular" because they form molecules. In a molecule, atoms of these elements share electrons, forming covalent bonds that result in the complex structures characteristic of these compounds.
A molecular compound's basic formula represents the actual number of atoms of each element in the molecule. For example, in the formula \( \mathrm{SO}_{2} \), the subscript '2' indicates the presence of two oxygen atoms bonded to one sulfur atom. Understanding this not only helps in identifying the actual composition of the compound but also its nomenclature.
These compounds can vary greatly in their properties based on the elements involved and the number of atoms present, allowing for a wide diversity in types and behaviors of compounds.

Decoding Chemical Formulas

Chemical formulas provide a shorthand way of representing chemical substances. In the context of binary molecular compounds, they consist of a combination of symbols and numbers that convey essential information about the compound's composition.
The formula shows the types of elements present and the number of each type of atom in the molecules. Take \( \mathrm{CCl}_{4} \) as an example. The "C" stands for carbon, and the "Cl" for chlorine, with the subscript '4' indicating that there are four chlorine atoms for every one carbon atom.
Chemical formulas are critical as they indicate the exact ratio of the atoms, which is crucial for understanding properties like the compound's geometry and reactivity. They function as a universal language in chemistry, allowing scientists from different regions and languages to understand the composition of substances without ambiguity.

Naming Compounds: A Simple Approach

Naming binary molecular compounds involves combining the names of the two elements but with a unique twist: using prefixes to indicate the number of atoms present.
Here are some basic rules to remember when naming such compounds:

• The first element in the formula is named first, along with a prefix, if there is more than one atom of that element.
• The second element is named with a suffix '-ide' at the end, and always with a prefix indicating the number of atoms present, regardless of how many there are.
• Common prefixes include "mono-" for one, "di-" for two, "tri-" for three, "tetra-" for four, and "deca-" for ten.

For example, in \( \mathrm{P}_{4} \mathrm{~S}_{10} \), you denote the four phosphorus atoms with "tetra-" and the ten sulfur atoms with "deca-", resulting in the name Tetraphosphorus Decasulfide.
This systematic process helps in avoiding confusion and ensures uniformity in how compounds are named across different contexts and applications.