Section 6: Writing Chemical Formulas and Naming Compounds

 

            1.  Each atom is given an oxidation number to show its combining ability in a

                        compound

            2.  The oxidation numbers of atoms in a compound must balance out to zero

            3.  Binary compound consist of only two elements

            4.  The element with the positive oxidation number is written first in the formula

            5.  Naming binary compounds

                        a.  Write the name of the first element

                        b.  Write the root of the name of the second element

                        c.  Add the ending -ide to the root of the second element's name

            6.  Polyatomic ions

                        a.  These are groups of atoms that have a charge and act as a single ion

                        b.  If more than one are in a formula parentheses must be around the entire

                                    group

            7.  Hydrates

                        a.  These are compounds that have water molecules chemically attached to

                                    their ions

                        b.  Anhydrous is the term for these compounds when they do not have the

                                    water

                        c.  To detect whether crystals are hydrates they should be heated; they are

                                     if steam is given off