Naming Covalent Compounds

Use the drop-down menus to order the steps for writing chemical formulas.

1, 3, 2, 4, 5

Use the drop-down menus to order the steps for writing chemical names.

3, 2, 4, 5, 1

Martije has made a slight error in naming a compound monocarbon tetrabromide. What compound is she most likely naming, and what is its correct name?

CBr4 (carbon tetrabromide)

What is the chemical formula of water?

H2O

Hydrogen and oxygen make up water, which is a covalent compound. Which statement accurately describes hydrogen and oxygen?

Hydrogen and Oxygen are are nonmetals

The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, or _____ for short, sets the rules for how to name compounds.

IUPAC

Ammonia is a covalent compound used in many cleaners. What is its chemical formula?

NH3

N2O is the chemical formula of a covalent compound used in the production of whipping cream. The elements that make up this compound are nitrogen and oxygen. Which element name is written first in the chemical name of the compound?

Nitrogen

The chemical name for NO2 is

Nitrogen Dioxide

According to Laura, the compound with the chemical name phosphorus trichloride has one atom of phosphorus and four atoms of chlorine. Is she correct in saying this? Explain your answer.

No, Laura is not correct. There would only be three atoms for trichloride. If there were four atoms of chlorine, then the answer would be tetracloride.

N2O is the chemical formula of a covalent compound used in the production of whipping cream. The elements that make up this compound are nitrogen and oxygen. What is the name of the second element in the chemical name of this compound?

Oxide

Phosphorus trichloride is used in the production of chemicals that keep plants from growing in a specific area. This compound is made of phosphorus atoms represented by the chemical symbol P and chlorine atoms represented by the chemical symbol Cl. Which symbol should be written first?

P

Phosphorus trichloride is used in the production of chemicals that keep plants from growing in a specific area. This compound is made of phosphorus and chlorine atoms. What two symbols would make up the chemical formula of this covalent compound?

P and Cl

Phosphorus trichloride is used in the production of chemicals that keep plants from growing in a specific area. This compound is made of one phosphorus atom represented by the chemical symbol P and three chlorine atoms represented by the chemical symbol Cl. What is the chemical formula of this compound?

PCl3

What is used to determine the number of a type of atom in a compound based on the chemical name?

Prefixes

Gloria is writing the chemical formula for a compound using its chemical name. She has just identified the names of the elements in the compound. What tool will she use next?

The Periodic table

How can a periodic table help a chemist write the chemical name of a compound from its chemical formula?

by Identifying the elements

What prefix should be used for the oxygen atom when naming the chemical formula SO2?

di-

N2O is the chemical formula of a covalent compound used in the production of whipping cream. Its first name is nitrogen and the second name is oxide. What is the chemical name of this compound?

dinitrogen monoxide

P2O5 is a covalent compound used to purify sugar. What is the name of this compound?

diphosphorus pentoxide

The element that appears farthest to the ____ is written first in the chemical name of a covalent compound.

left

N2O is the chemical formula of a covalent compound used in the production of whipping cream. What two elements make up this compound?

nitrogen and oxygen

What is the prefix for oxygen in As2O5?

penta-

Which prefix is needed when naming SO3?

tri-