Question

Give the name of each of the following simple binary ionic compounds. a. \(\mathrm{BeO}\) b. \(\mathrm{MgI}_{2}\) c. \(\mathrm{Na}_{2} \mathrm{S}\) d. \(\mathrm{Al}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{3}\) e. \(HCl\) f. \(LiF\) \(\mathrm{g} \cdot \mathrm{Ag}_{2} \mathrm{S}\) h. \(\mathrm{CaH}_{2}\)

Short answer

a. Beryllium Oxide b. Magnesium Iodide c. Sodium Sulfide d. Aluminum Oxide e. Hydrogen Chloride f. Lithium Fluoride g. Silver Sulfide h. Calcium Hydride

Step-by-step solution

a. BeO

Step 1: Identify the cation and the anion. Here, the cation is Beryllium (Be) and the anion is Oxygen (O). Step 2: Write the name of the compound. The name of the compound is Beryllium Oxide.

b. MgI2

Step 1: Identify the cation and the anion. Here, the cation is Magnesium (Mg) and the anion is Iodine (I). Step 2: Write the name of the compound. The name of the compound is Magnesium Iodide.

c. Na2S

Step 1: Identify the cation and the anion. Here, the cation is Sodium (Na) and the anion is Sulfur (S). Step 2: Write the name of the compound. The name of the compound is Sodium Sulfide.

d. Al2O3

Step 1: Identify the cation and the anion. Here, the cation is Aluminum (Al) and the anion is Oxygen (O). Step 2: Write the name of the compound. The name of the compound is Aluminum Oxide.

e. HCl

Step 1: Identify the cation and the anion. Here, the cation is Hydrogen (H) and the anion is Chlorine (Cl). Step 2: Write the name of the compound. The name of the compound is Hydrogen Chloride.

f. LiF

Step 1: Identify the cation and the anion. Here, the cation is Lithium (Li) and the anion is Fluorine (F). Step 2: Write the name of the compound. The name of the compound is Lithium Fluoride.

g. Ag2S

Step 1: Identify the cation and the anion. Here, the cation is Silver (Ag) and the anion is Sulfur (S). Step 2: Write the name of the compound. The name of the compound is Silver Sulfide.

h. CaH2

Step 1: Identify the cation and the anion. Here, the cation is Calcium (Ca) and the anion is Hydrogen (H). Step 2: Write the name of the compound. The name of the compound is Calcium Hydride.

Key concepts

Compound Naming

Naming binary ionic compounds is straightforward once you understand the basic rules. These compounds consist of two different elements: a metal and a non-metal. The procedure involves naming the cation (metal) first and the anion (non-metal) second.
To name the cation, you simply use the name of the element itself. For instance, in \( \text{BeO} \), "Beryllium" is used for Be.
The anion's name is derived from the root of the element's name, with the suffix "-ide" added. So, Oxygen becomes "Oxide," and \( \text{BeO} \) is named Beryllium Oxide.
For example:

• In \( \text{MgI}_{2} \), "Magnesium" is the cation, and "Iodide" for the anion. It is named Magnesium Iodide.
• In \( \text{Na}_{2} \text{S} \), Sodium is the cation and Sulfide is the anion, resulting in Sodium Sulfide.

Understanding these naming conventions is key to mastering chemical nomenclature.

Cation and Anion Identification

Identifying the cation and anion in binary ionic compounds is a crucial step in naming them correctly.
A cation is a positively charged ion, usually a metal, while an anion is a negatively charged ion, typically a non-metal.
To identify them:

• Look at the first element in the formula; it's usually the cation. For \( \text{Al}_{2}\text{O}_3 \), Aluminum (Al) is the cation.
• The second element is the anion. In \( \text{Al}_{2}\text{O}_3 \), Oxygen (O) is the anion.

For compounds like \( \text{LiF} \), the process is similar: Lithium (Li) is the cation, and Fluorine (F) becomes the anion Fluoride.
By consistently identifying cations and anions correctly, the task of naming any binary ionic compound becomes much more manageable.

Chemical Nomenclature

Chemical nomenclature is a system used to name chemical compounds in a structured way. This universally accepted method helps avoid confusion and ensures consistency across scientific discussions.
In binary ionic compounds, the naming follows two key components:

• The metal, or cation, retains its element name.
• The non-metal, or anion, takes on an "-ide" suffix.

This system clarifies the composition and simplifies communication for scientists globally. For example, \( \text{CaH}_{2} \) features Calcium as the cation and Hydrogen as the anion, forming Calcium Hydride.
With \( \text{Ag}_{2}\text{S} \), the rules apply similarly, leading to the name Silver Sulfide.
The consistency of chemical nomenclature is central to the field of chemistry, allowing scientists to easily identify and discuss compounds regardless of their complexity.